BJ's Wholesale is Ready for the Holidays! Are You?

Another holiday season is upon us. Lots of things to buy and cook and decorate. At BJ’s Wholesale, you’ll find great products for decorating, entertaining and, of course, gift-giving. You’ll also see and taste some of their high-quality groceries including delicious appetizers, fresh prepared foods and decadent desserts!

BJ’s Wholesale Club is a one-stop shopping destination for name brand, high- quality food and merchandise at prices that are significantly lower than supermarkets, supercenters, department stores, drug stores and specialty retail stores. They have a little of everything for everyone on your list!




Looking for the new Keurig 2.0 for your Mother in Law? BJ’s has it for 129.99 and it includes a bundle of coffees to get her started!Buying in bulk may seem hard to get used to but BJ’s makes it easy on you and you’re wallet! The Jawbone UP for your active uncle? BJ’s has it for $49.99! EOS lipbalm as a treat for all your hard work? They have a 4 pack for $9.99! Or maybe you're looking to replace your girlfriend's DSLR you got run over in her friends driveway? BJ's has the Canon she wants for $799. Just sayin'.





BJ’s is one of the lowest cost operators in the retail industry which means BJ’s is able to pass the savings onto its Members in the form of lower prices for lots of reasons including:

· BJ’s is extremely efficient in shipping and handling goods
· BJ’s does not have expensive displays, fancy buildings, or high advertising costs
· BJ’s annual membership fee also helps eliminate factoring operating costs into pricing
· With such a large committed base of loyal Members, BJ’s merchandising team is able to negotiate with vendors to bring Members the consistent value
· BJ's carries the most product variety of any other wholesale club with more than 7,500 items, including smaller packaged staples in addition to bulk sizes
· BJ's is the only wholesale club to accept all manufacturers' coupons in addition to in-club coupons and for greater convenience, offers the most payment options including Apple Pay and EBT.

Want to check it out before you buy a membership? No worries! Just click the link below and head over to print your free pass! Just in time for the holidays!

Headquartered in Westborough, Massachusetts, BJ's is a leading operator of warehouse clubs in the eastern U.S., currently with 206 clubs and 119 gas stations in 15 states. Learn more and shop online at www.BJs.com, and for exclusive content visit  www.Facebook.com/bjswholesaleclub, www.Twitter.com/bjswholesale and http://www.pinterest.com/bjswholesale. 

*I was invited to join BJ's for a special inside peek at their holiday offerings and provided compensation in exchange for this promotion but all opinions are my own!

Dollar Store DIY: Winter Globes

'Tis the season! The season where many of us decorate our houses to the T. Making sure every area of our hoes looks like Christmas exploded all over them. Or maybe that’s just us. I have spent the last several years gathering the sparkly Christmas goods at all of the January sales and getting together my crafty sense to make my house look like I have always wanted to but have never been able to afford to. Lucky for me Michael shares my affinity for the Christmassy cheer. In fact, he may even be part Griswold.

The only thing that is a stumbling block for me is that I am crazy cheap. I love to go into the Crate and Barrels and the Pier Ones and ogle all of their brightly colored wreaths and décor but I also mostly only go there to get ideas.

  

This is this year’s craft for me brought to you none other than my local dollar store. I had seen this project on Pinterest awhile back but it didn’t exactly suit my style. A little too fancy schmancy not enough country/ lazy charm. So, when the dollar store by my house started getting out the Christmas decorations, I decided to check and see if they had anything more my style. It was the little plaster tree with the Cardinals on it that caught my eye first. Then the little snowman and people.

The next stop was the glass vases. They didn’t have the three different sizes I was looking for, so I went with two of the large vases and a pint beer glass I found with the other glassware. I tried it out in the store and was able to achieve the 3 level look I was going for by using the two candle sticks underneath one of the large vases and the beer glass. You will need to use the magical glue called E6000 to secure the vases to the candle holders. It will make a clear, sturdy base for whatever your decide to put in your vases. If you have never used this glue, be careful. Its very stringy and stick anything to everything.

After the glass pieces had dried, it was as easy as putting the snowflakes into the vases at the levels I wanted and putting in the little plaster figures. I did have to tamp down the snow a few times to make sure they stayed at the right level as it settled too but that is kind of to be expected for plastic snow I guess. The original post had lights in the bottom to make them fancy but I have a thing about glowing snow. If its glowing, I assume there is a source of light making it glow and if its lighting, its heating. Which melts snow. Technicalities aside, it did make it fancy so if that’s your thing, you can get battery powered LED lights at the dollar store too.

Overall, I am excited with how they turned out! They are a cute little addition to the weird mirrored shelf that came with my house at least. This whole project cost me a grand total of$9 which is a win in my book.

(Hover to Pin!)

Make Magical Holiday Memories at the Fox Theatre

Photo credit: David Kosmos

This December 6-29th, the Fox Theatre will host magical holiday tours prior to performances of Belk Presents Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker. The festive holiday tours will feature an exclusive meet and greet with cast members from Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker, including master illusionist (and America’s Got Talent finalist) Drew Thomas, hot cocoa, complimentary family photos with a life-sized nutcracker and, of course, a tour of the fabulous Fox Theatre.

“This is always a very special time for the Fox Theatre since our doors first opened on December 25th, 1929,” says Molly Fortune, Director of Restoration and Operations for the Fox Theatre. “Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker creates the perfect setting for us to share that special memory with our patrons and get in the holiday spirit.”

The actual tour will be 30 minutes long, and will include the famous Mighty Mo’, the largest working Mollër theatre organ in the world, the starry-skied auditorium and the many holiday decorations throughout the fabulous Fox Theatre. Following the tours, guests will receive a special merchandise voucher for Fox Theatre commemorative items and decadent chocolate wafers provided by The Melting Pot in Midtown.

The Holiday Tours will take place Dec. 6-29 prior to Nutcracker performances. Tickets are open to the general public and do not require a ticket purchase to Nutcracker. Tours will start two hours prior to each performance. Please visit the FoxTheatre.org for a complete list of show and tour times. Tour tickets are $35 per adult and $25 per child 10 yrs. and under. To purchase tickets now, visit www.FoxTheatre.org, the Fox Theatre ticket office or call 855-285-8499. Note: Your purchase of a Holiday Tour is for the tour only, and does not include a ticket to Nutcracker. Tickets for Nutcracker should be purchased separately through any of the above ticketing channels.

To inquire about booking a private tour or a group of 20 or more, please contact the theatre at (404) 881-2000. For more information on the tours, visit www.FoxTheatre.org.

Photos with Santa in Alpharetta: Free and Early!

Let's face it, Christmas is expensive as is. Add in all the little extras like pictures with Santa himself, and things gets out of control quick! This year, you can get your holiday Santa photos taken for free at the Alpharetta Welcome Center on November 16 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. 

All you have to do is stop in for an individual or family photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus and they will email the photo to you to share with friends and family! This is a free event and refreshments will be served. Best part: no reservations required.

“This will be the second year Santa and Mrs. Claus have come to our Welcome Center,” says Janet Rodgers, President and CEO of the Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau. “With such a great turnout last year, we are hoping to continue the success of the event as it is a great opportunity to remind everyone of the free services offered by the Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau.”

The Alpharetta Welcome Center is located at 178 South Main Street, Suite 200 and is the best source for information on Alpharetta and all that it offers in the way of shopping, dining, entertainment and recreation, for visitors and residents alike. Its hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information about the Welcome Center call 678-297-2811.

Atlanta Botanical Garden is Shining "Green" This Winter!

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights not only offers an enchanting in-town experience but also is one of the largest light shows in the country, shimmering nearly 1 million energy-efficient bulbs.

The show, set for November 16 - January 4 at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, will feature almost exclusively LED lights, or special light-emitting diodes, continuing the Garden’s commitment to environmental sustainability. LED lights consume up to 80 percent less electricity than incandescent lights and have a life span more than double that of such traditional lights – five years or more. To further increase energy efficiency, new timing controls allow the Garden to minimize the number of hours the lights are on, providing a large-scale show with small-scale power consumption.

As part of an ongoing partnership, the Garden will use green energy from Georgia Power for the holiday exhibition. To ignite this winter wonderland, energy produced from renewable resources will be added to the power grid in an amount equal to what the show consumes. Georgia Power’s green energy sources include solar power and biomass, such as landfill gas burned to produce steam for power generation.

“We are thrilled to continue our green practices this holiday season with Garden Lights, Holiday Nights,” said Mary Pat Matheson, the Garden’s President and CEO. “Implementing an energy-efficient plan will maximize our opportunity to showcase – and serve – our environment among a host of lights and colors for a magnificent experience.”

Open nightly from 5 until 10 p.m., Garden Lights, Holiday Nights, showcases enormous botanical inspired light displays throughout the 30-acre Midtown attraction. For ticket information, visit Garden Admissions, atlantabotanicalgarden.org or call 1-GLHN-TIX (1-855-454-6849).

Wilderness at the Smokies

This past weekend, the boys and I took a mini getaway to the Smoky Mountains. We went one a quick weekend jaunt to Wilderness at the Smokies, an indoor water park and hotel. We spent most of our time playing and swimming but we also spent quite a bit of time at the all you can eat buffet. We are all exhausted AND stuffed to the gills. I hope we can go back sometime soon for a longer trip!

Happiest of Birthdays to Me!

Today, I turned 32. Scary thing, 32. Still, I could not have asked for a better birthday. Considering how bad the last few years have gone, there wasn't really much competition. I spent the morning with my boys hanging out and opening presents. D insisted I had to have a party crown so I dug out my mother's old homecoming queen crown to wear for the morning's festivities. We had birthday cake for breakfast and then I opened the presents the boys and my mother had gotten me.

My favorite part of the morning though, was the boys' singing me happy birthday and then helping me blow out my candles. *swoon*


After we messed around the house for awhile we got dressed and went to our favorite restaurant for lunch. The boys call it the "fire restaurant" but its actually a Japanese steak house. As we stuffed ourselves silly, D leaned over and told me I was his best friend in the whole wide world and I nearly broke down in tears. These boys definitely know how to make their Mama feel special. 

After lunch, I went shopping with my father. That's right ladies and gents, my father voluntarily took me shopping for clothes. Four stores later, something tells me he regretted getting himself into that situation. I kid. He helped me find some great new work/ interviewing clothes and for that I am so grateful. With money as tight as it is and with all the weight I've lost, my closet is a bit scary. 

Not the best picture but its new!!

When I got home from shopping with my dad, I had a couple of surprises waiting for me. Actually, the delivery man was just getting out of his truck to give one to me. Talk about service! Anyway, I got the most beautiful bouquet of flowers from a close friend that is out of town for my birthday and let me tell you what, I haven't cried like that in awhile. Happy tears but totally unexpected tears. 

Gorgeous, Right??

I also got a beautiful plant and gift card for a mani/ pedi from a close friend of the family and a new bathroom rug (which was quite needed) from my mother. 
I am so blessed to have such amazing friends and family that have made my birthday special. From Facebook posts and emails to flowers and gifts, there is no doubt in my mind that I am loved this year. Its such a wonderful feeling and it has certainly made my birthday rich and happy. Happiest of birthdays to me! 

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.

The Children’s Museum of Atlanta's 10th Birthday Celebration

The Children's Museum of Atlanta is turning 10! Thanks to incredible members, visitors, and sponsors, they have been providing children and their families with a fun and safe place to play and learn for ten years. In honor of this momentous occasion, they are inviting all children and their caregivers for a magnificent birthday celebration on March 2, 2013. In the spirit of celebration, the Museum will offer all visitors $10 admission on Saturday, March 2 and Sunday, March 3, 2013.* 

The celebration will include a party hat decoration station, face painting, birthday games, crafts, cake, and a dance party with the Imaginators. Visitors will also have the opportunity to share birthday wishes to the Museum by signing a giant birthday card.

Families may leave the Museum for lunch and return with their ticket stubs for the remainder of the festivities.

Schedule:

11:00 AM – 3:00 PM - Birthday Hat Decorating

11:00 AM – 3:00 PM - Face Painting

11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 3:00 PM - Birthday Games. Join the Imaginators for timeless birthday games like Pin the Tail on the Donkey and Musical Chairs.

12:00 PM and 2:00 PM - Dance Party! Join the Imaginators on the dance floor to sing Happy Birthday to the Museum and learn the Electric Slide, Hokey Pokey, the Bunny Hop, and the Cupid Shuffle!

*$10 admission is only offered March 2 – 3, 2013 during regular business hours and cannot be combined with other offers or discounts. The Museum expects this to be a sold out event. Advance ticket purchases are recommended.

Museum hours: Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Admission is $12.75 plus tax for adults and children ages 2 and above; children under 2 are free. The Children’s Museum is located in the Lucky 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].

Egg-citing Easter Events at Atlanta @SimonMalls

Image by Simon

Looking for some eggs-tra special fun this Spring? Hop on Over to Northlake Mall, Mall of Georgia and Town Center at Cobb where kids are invited to grab their best baskets and see the Easter Bunny! This year, Northlake Mall, Mall of Georgia and Town Center at Cobb have all kinds of family-friendly activities to get little ones in the holiday spirit.

Northlake Mall

(4800 Briarcliff Road NE. /Atlanta / 770.938.3564)

· Photos with the Easter Bunny: March 16-30 in Center Court. Visit www.northlakemall.com for hours and photo package information.

· Caring Bunny: Sunday, March 17, 10:30a.m.-12 p.m. Children with special needs have the opportunity to spend time with the Easter Bunny in a photo environment designed to support their sensory, physical and developmental needs.

· Kidgits Hip Hop Bunny Party: Saturday, March 16, 2-4 p.m. in the Food Garden. The Bunny and his friends invite children to join them for a Hip Hop Dance Party filled with fun and prizes from the Easter Egg prize wheel. Cost is $1 for Simon Kidgits Club Members, $6 for non-members and $1 for parents. RSVP to Shelley or Sue beginning March 1 by calling 770.938.3565. Check out the event on Facebook for more information.

Mall of Georgia 

(3333 Buford Drive /Buford / 678-482-8788)

· Photos with the Easter Bunny: March 9-30 in the Kidgits Korner –Nordstrom Court. Visit www.mallofgeorgia.com for hours and photo package information or call 678-482-8788.

· Caring Bunny Event: Sunday, March 10, 9-11a.m in the Nordstrom Court. Children with special needs have the opportunity to spend time with the Easter Bunny in a photo environment designed to support their sensory, physical and developmental needs. RSVP by March 7.

· Breakfast with the Easter Bunny: March 9, 8:30 a.m. in the Food Court. Breakfast, fun activities for the kids, treats from Costco and Starbucks and giveaways. RSVP by calling 678.482.2365 or visiting Guest Services. RSVP deadline is March 1.

· Simon Kidgits 7th Annual Easter Egg Hunt: March 30, 10 a.m. in The Village. The annual Easter Egg Hunt will begin with children up to three years old at 10 a.m., followed immediately by an egg hunt for children ages 4 and up.

Town Center at Cobb 

(400 Barrett Pkwy. /Kennesaw / 770.424.9486)

· Photos with the Easter Bunny: February 27 – March 30 in Center Court. Visit www.towncenteratcobb.com for hours and photo package information.

· Caring Bunny Event: Sunday, March 10, 9-11a.m. Children with special needs have the opportunity to spend time with the Easter Bunny in a photo environment designed to support their sensory, physical and developmental needs. RSVP by March 7.

· Simon Kidgits “Hop Into Spring:” Saturday, March 16, 1-3 p.m. in the upper level jcpenney wing. Welcome spring with seasonal activities and giveaways! DJ Steve will be on hand with music and games, and the Easter Bunny will make a special appearance. Free for Kidgits Club members; $5 for nonmembers includes a year of fun activities. Kids who wear their Kidgits t-shirt will receive a special prize.

For more information about photo package prices and hours of operation, visit www.simon.com.

For more information on the Simon Kidgits Club, visit www.simonkidgitsclub.com.

Christmas Fun #WW

T Minus Seven

Image via Google. I wish this was my tree.

Seven. Seven days Christmas. Holy reindeer. 240 hours. Thats no time at all! Especially when you subtract all the hours that will be wasted doing things like working and sleeping. It has really snuck up on me this year. I have always been done and ready for Christmas by now. Usually I am anxious to get the show on the road and chomping at the bit to get down ton the holiday business by now. Always been an over achiever in that area at least I guess.

This year, my sister is coming for Christmas, which is what I am looking forward to the most. She made a fly through visit this fall when her best friend passed away but before that it had been a ridiculously long time since we had seen her. D asks about his Aunti more than he asks about anyone else. In fact, I have taken to not telling him she even coming until hours before her arrival because otherwise he would ask how much longer every. five. minutes.

We have a lot planned between now and Christmas too. Lots of fun activities and events and family to see. This time of year has always been kind of insane for us but it seems like its all much more condensed this year.

Of course our Christmas is missing some of the festivities that usually accompany this time of year. That makes me kind of sad even it if was a source of contention at the time. Hindsight can be a blessing and a curse.

Still, seven more days. A crazy seven days, with little time to stop and think but maybe thats what we all need, right? Especially after such an emotional weekend. I think we all need the crazy to make us so thankful for the cold and dreary January coming at us like a freight train.

Ho Ho NO #WW

K has never been fond of Santa and D has always been indifferent. You would think I'd learn...

2010: Who IS this guy??

2011: You can make me sit here, but you can't make me smile.

2012: A little better but still not happy.

Bonus: Snow angel misery 2012

Its back! @StoneMtnPark Christmas and Snow Mountain

Georgia’s most visited attraction is the only place in Atlanta to experience both the joy of Christmas and tons of fresh snow.

Stone Mountain Park (SMP) debuts its popular holiday attraction Stone Mountain Christmas, presented by Humana, on select dates from Nov. 10 to Jan. 1. This year, Snow Mountain, the region’s only snow park opens for its fifth season starting on Nov. 22 and operating on select dates through Feb. 18.

From Nov. 22 to Jan. 1, when both attractions are simultaneously open, SMP is offering a limited time combo ticket that can be used on the same day or two separate days. The combo ticket is $44 plus tax and includes a two-hour snow tubing session, all-day access to the snow play area and all-access to Stone Mountain Christmas. The combo ticket can save visitors up to $10 per ticket.

(Photo © Amy Curtis)

New for Stone Mountain Christmas, “Forever Christmas” revue takes guests on a journey of holiday music of yesterday and today. The first half the production features 1950s era favorites like “White Christmas,” “Jingle Bell Rock” and “Man With The Bag.” Then, right before the audience’s eyes, the set changes to 2012 and showcases contemporary holiday music. The show highlights current pop songs such as Justin Bieber’s version of “Little Drummer Boy” with a special marching trio of snare drums and glowing drumsticks. The production also includes a black light puppet number set to “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.” The powerful finale of the show is a nod to Jennifer Hudson’s version of “Go Tell It On The Mountain” that will have the audience on their feet and clapping their hands.

Guests looking for fun winter memory-making opportunities closer to home get to experience snow even earlier this year. The attraction returns to delight families with the region’s only snow park featuring more than 20 snow-tubing slides. Situated on what is commonly known as the “Laser Lawn,” the snow park features various tubing runs and activities, including the Avalanche Alley family tube ride and the Snow Zone area where younger kids can tube, make the ultimate snowmen and snow angels and throw snowballs in a snowball shooting gallery. After playing in the snow, families and visitors can warm up next to a crackling fire, roast marshmallows and enjoy s’mores.

Stone Mountain Christmas – The Christmas Spirit Is Brighter Than Ever

The holidays come to life during a Stone Mountain Christmas as SMP is decked out with more than 2 million lights. Stone Mountain Christmas is the only place in Atlanta to see the Polar Express™ 4-D Experience, live holiday shows: new for 2012 “Forever Christmas,” “A Crossroads® Christmas Carol,” “Holly Jolly Cabaret,” “The Gift” Train Show and more. Guests can stroll through Wonderland Walkway, a magical tunnel of lights and melodies. The Wonderland Walkway leads families and visitors to visit SMP’s very own Snow Angel at her Snow Palace in Memorial Hall. Families and visitors can also catch the Christmas spirit with the nightly Christmas Parade and visits with Santa Claus. The experience culminates with the magic of the beautiful Snow Angel as she flies high in the sky creating a nightly snow and fireworks celebration. Guests will want to visit their local Kroger location for the best ticket prices. More information about Stone Mountain Christmas is also online at www.StoneMountainPark.com.

Snow Mountain-Snow Facts

Snow Mountain adapted technology used at many of the top ski resorts in Europe and Japan to make fresh snow. The technology is temperature independent, allowing snow production in any climate. Snow Mountain has the capability of making 360 tons of snow per day.

Snow Mountain provides family fun responsibly. The attraction uses a closed loop system that borrows water from Stone Mountain Lake and does not use city water. Water goes through a treatment process that brings it to a potable standard suitable for people, similar to swimming pool water. Melted snow returns to the lake via storm line drainage.

For single tubes, guests must be 42 inches or taller. For the family tube ride, guests must be 36 inches or taller. The maximum height for Fort Snow is 53 inches. Space is limited, advanced reservations are strongly recommended. Snow Mountain tickets include a two-hour tubing session and an all-day snow play access. Tickets are on sale now at www.StoneMountainPark.com.

Special Stone Mountain Christmas & Snow Mountain Promotions
•Veteran’s Day Weekend, Nov. 10-11: Complimentary Stone Mountain Christmas Adventure Pass (includes Stone Mountain Christmas activities) to active and retired military and up to $10 off for immediate family members. For more information: www.stonemountainpark.com/tickets-specials/military

•Mountain Member Bring-A-Friend Free Weekend, Nov. 10-11: As a benefit to annual attraction ticket holders, SMP is offering members to bring a friend for free to Stone Mountain Christmas. For more information: www.stonemountainpark.com/tickets-specials/members-only/Bring-a-Friend-Free.aspx.

•Teacher Appreciation Week, Nov. 19-23: To honor teachers, SMP invites Georgia educators to take a holiday break by offering all active and certified K-12 teachers and principals a complimentary Adventure Pass (includes Stone Mountain Christmas activities) and the opportunity to purchase additional Adventure Passes at a discounted rate of $20 plus tax. For more information: www.stonemountainpark.com/events/Educator-Appreciation-Week

•Scout Day, Dec 8: Girl & Boy Scout troops are invited to Stone Mountain Christmas & Snow Mountain for a special discount Combo Pass including a meal for $40. For more information: www.stonemountainpark.com/scouts

•Special Winter Stay & Play: hotel packages are available to stay inside the park at two Marriott hotels. Packages start at $149 and include overnight accommodations and breakfast. Stone Mountain Christmas tickets are included in most packages. For Snow Mountain tickets, simply go online to book your tubing session time. More details are available at www.stonemountainpark.com/lodging-camping/hotels/Offers-and-Packages.


For more information, special promotions and giveaways, guests are invited to “Like” Stone Mountain Park on Facebook at www.facebook.com/stonemountainpark. Listed in Frommer’s 500 Places to Visit with Your Kids Before They Grow Up and cited by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution as one of “35 Natural Wonders in Georgia You Must See …,” Stone Mountain Park is located 16 miles east of downtown Atlanta. To get to the park, take I-285 to Exit 39B, Hwy. 78 East. Stone Mountain Park is off Exit 8 on Hwy. 78.

Kicking Off the Holidays



Last week we did our very first Christmas type adventure. I found out from a friend on Facebook that Marietta was having a Christmas kickoff party complete with tree lighting and Santa's arrival and it sounded low key enough to get things started. So after nap time, we took off down to the square with my father to check out the fun.

The very first thing that the boys noticed was the old fashioned fire truck they had parked out on the street. They weren't allowed to climb up in the truck but they did have fun getting their picture taken. Even thought they don't look like it particularly. I took 5 pictures and this was the best one. *sigh*

 

  After that, we checked out some of the other activities and such they had. The kids choirs singing on the stage was fun to watch but the boys got bored. So, we headed over to the train playground but we weren't able to stay there long. Mostly because of safety. There were a million big kids climbing all over it and I was afraid the boys would get knocked down.
  

(Click to enlarge)

Then we went and took some pictures in front of the tree and got in line for Santa. Where we waited. And waited. And waited. I have to admit though, he was a particularly good Santa so I can understand why the line took forever. He spent time talking to all of the kids individually and they boys were in awe. Well, D was in awe. K stood there looking like he was being held hostage like he did in all of his Santa pictures last year.

At any rate, we had a good time and got to see Santa and the boys got to spend some time with their Grandpa. All things that the boys love doing. Can't beat that for a first of season kick off!

Festive Fernbank Offers Holiday Delights, Treats and Events!

Holidays are cultural expressions of a variety of traditions, and Fernbank Museum of Natural History is showcasing the many great ways to celebrate this season. As part of the special exhibition Winter Wonderland: Celebrations & Traditions around the World, Fernbank is hosting two special weekends filled with festive ways to enjoy the holidays.

Among the dozens of trees and displays that represent holidays and traditions representing cultures across five continents, Fernbank will feature the Caroling & Cookies Weekend on December 1 and 2, followed by the Laughing Pizza Holiday Concert on December 8.

CAROLING & COOKIES WEEKEND

Scheduled Activities for Saturday, December 1

Activities are offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., unless otherwise noted and are subject to change.

• Santa-saurus Ornaments Create your own Fernbank Santa-saurus ornament to take home with you.
• Snowflake Rubbings Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! Create your own snowflake to take home.
• Cookie Corner A variety of fresh-baked holiday cookies will be available for purchase.
• Train Rides* 10 am – 4 pm, Dinosaur Plaza Hop aboard Fernbank’s Santa-saurus Express train. Tickets are $3 for 1 ticket, or $10 for 4 tickets. *Weather permitting.
• Holiday Photo Opportunities 10 am – 4 pm Commemorate your visit with a special Fernbank holiday photo. Choose from a variety of backgrounds and have your photo printed on-site. Photos are $15
• Buckhead Girls Choir 10:30 am and 12:30 pm Enjoy a variety of holiday and cultural songs. This unique group teaches girls to sing in different languages and styles, explore musical theory and gain performance experience.
• The North Pole Fa-La-La Follies by Lee Bryan, “That Puppet Guy” 10:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, Auditorium (Limited Seating) Get ready for hilarious holiday high-jinx as some talented residents of the North Pole perform in their annual talent show. “Yule” love it!
• Georgia Boys Choir 11:30 am Celebrate with holiday songs performed by the Southeast’s premiere musical organization for boys, the Georgia Boy Choir.
• Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker Ensemble. See short pieces from Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker and other holiday favorites performed by the students from Atlanta Ballet’s Centre for Dance Education.
• Pope High School Chamber Music Society. Listen to delightful holiday music from this small string ensemble

Scheduled Activities for Sunday, December 2
Activities are offered from noon to 4 p.m. unless otherwise noted and are subject to change.

• Roaming Santa-saurus Be on the lookout for Fernbank’s NEW dinosaur mascot, Giggy A. Dinosaur. He’ll be making special appearances dressed up as Santa-saurus.
• Santa-saurus Ornaments Create your own FernbankSanta-saurusornament to take home with you.
• Snowflake Rubbings Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! Create your own snowflake to take home.
• Train Rides* Hop aboard Fernbank’s Santa-saurus Express train. Tickets are $3 for 1 ticket, or $10 for 4 tickets. *Weather permitting.
• Holiday Photo Opportunities Commemorate your visit with a special Fernbank holiday photo. Choose from a variety of backgrounds and have your photo printed on-site. Photos are $15
• Cookie Corner A variety of fresh-baked holiday cookies will be available for purchase.
• Buckhead Girls Choir 12:15pm, 2pm, 3pm Enjoy a variety of holiday and cultural songs. This unique group teaches girls to sing in different languages and styles, explore musical theory and gain performance experience.
• Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker Ensemble. See short pieces from Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker and other holiday favorites performed by the students from Atlanta Ballet’s Centre for Dance Education.
• The North Pole Fa-La-La Follies by Lee Bryan, “That Puppet Guy” 1:30pm, 2:30pm, 3:30pm, Auditorium (Limited Seating) Get ready for hilarious holiday high-jinx as some talented residents of the North Pole perform in their annual talent show. “Yule” love it!

Cost: Unless noted, all Caroling & Cookies Weekend activities are included with Museum admission and are free for members. Check out Fernbank’s holiday Membership sale at fernbankmuseum.org!


LAUGHING PIZZA HOLIDAY CONCERT

Saturday, December 8- Presented by Shumate Heating and Air

Doors open at 10am. Laughing Pizza will perform at 10:30am, 11:45am, and 1pm.

Don’t miss this award-winning family band performing a variety of original holiday tunes. Guests will also be treated to special performances by the Atlanta Circus Camp and enjoy ornament-making crafts. B98.5 FM will be broadcasting live and handing out a variety of great prizes.

Laughing Pizza is a real family band that writes and performs all original pop-music for families. Their music videos can be seen every day in over 18 million homes on PBS stations and TV On-Demand around the country. This mom, dad, and daughter trio travel across the nation performing at theatres, museums, music festivals, nightclubs, schools, and other venues –including the White House (twice, including with Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers). Laughing Pizza has also been featured on the Today Show, CNN, and FoxTV, as well as in Money Magazine, The New York Times, Atlanta Magazine, Star Magazine, and the Huffington Post among others. Mom and Dad, Lisa and Billy, are both classically trained musicians and former music teachers with a history of success in the music business – including a #1 Billboard Dance Hit and a publishing deal with Warner/Chappell. Emily, their 15-year-old daughter, plays multiple instruments including flute, drums, guitar, piano, and bass – and co-writes all of the Laughing Pizza songs with her parents.

Cost: Included with Museum admission and FREE for members. Check out Fernbank’s holiday Membership sale at fernbankmuseum.org!


WINTER WONDERLAND: HOLIDAYS AND TRADITIONS AROUND THE WORLD

Enjoy a season of celebrations during Fernbank’s 3 rd annual Winter Wonderland, on view through January 6, 2013. This holiday-inspired exhibition features trees and other displays decorated by local cultural partners that recognize celebrations including Christmas, Hanukkah and the Festival of Lights, as well as traditions and practices like origami, indigenous art and national symbols. The exhibition twinkles with lights, glimmers with color, and shines with a variety of cultural ornaments and emblems that recognize the diversity of celebrations, holidays, traditions and events around the world.

Cost: Included with Museum admission and free for Members. Check out Fernbank’s holiday Membership sale at fernbankmuseum.org!

FERNBANK MUSEUM VISITOR INFO
Fernbank Museum of Natural History is located at 767 Clifton Road, NE in Atlanta. Admission is $17.50 for adults, $16.50 for students/seniors, $15.50 for children ages 3-12, and free for children ages 2 and under. Admission is also FREE for Museum Members.
The Museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The Museum is closed Christmas Day. For tickets and more information, visit fernbankmuseum.org or call 404.929.6300.

Finally Monday

Its finally here. Monday. Last week was a crazy one for sure. It feels like the holidays are coming up fast and by George they are. Like a freight train on crack.

Image via Etsy

This year has seemed like it was going by in some sort of slow agony all year. Dragging on and on in a twisted maze with some sort of weirdness waiting around every corner. Looking back now though, it seems like it flew by more like a tornado. Dusting up emotions and craziness in its path instead of debris and trailers parks.

This close to the New Year though, it all moves at warp speed. Christmas is one month from yesterday. We have one month to squeeze in all the Christmas extravaganza fun we can handle and then move quickly on to looking back at 2012 as it was.   It wears me out just thinking about it.   Its gonna be awesome though. All the lights and decorating and running and wrapping and eating and collapsing. I kind of thrive on that kind of crazy. I love to be busy and have things to do and places to be. I have never been much of a homebody.   So, here goes nothing. Are you ready? Set? Go!

BJ's Wholesale Club: The Place for Holiday Savings

Last week, we got the opportunity to check out the local BJ’s Holiday goodies first hand. Headquartered in Westborough, Massachusetts, BJ’s is a leading operator of warehouse clubs here on the East coast. With 197 clubs and 107 gas stations in 15 states on the Eastern seaboard, carries the most product variety of any other wholesale club with more than 7,000 items, including supermarket- sized staples. BJ’s is also one of the lowest cost operators in the retail industry.

What does that mean to BJ’s customers?

It means that BJs is able to pass the savings on to its members in a way that is exclusive to them. BJ’s is the only wholesale club to accept all manufacturers’ coupons in addition to in- club coupons. The best part? When purchasing a multi pack of “individual for sale” items (think toothpaste 3 packs), shoppers can combine one BJ’s issued coupon with as many manufacturers’ coupons as there are items (so, 3 manufacturers coupons and a BJ’s coupons on that toothpaste!). The even accept online coupons! Holy cheap!

Of course BJ’s is the place to get most of your Holiday necessities. They have the largest selection of frozen appetizers set to feed the masses but they also have a lot of the basic things like butter, milk, and chocolate chips. With holiday baking coming up quickly. BJ’s will be the first place we stop.

On top of all the amazing prices on food and household products, they have an amazing selection of gifts, books (the paper kind, remember those?) and clothing for everyone in your family. The best part for me is that BJ's carries a variety of top brand toys and appliances with extra features that you can't find anywhere but BJ's. They also carry a beautiful selection of wrapping paper, handmade gift tags and cards. One stop shopping at its cheapest!

Want to try BJ’s Wholesale out without making a full year’s commitment? Good news! BJ’s is currently offering a FREE 60-day Trial Membership with full member benefits and absolutely no surcharge! All you have to do is visit BJ’s Facebook page to print the coupon and activate it by December 31st, 2012.

*I was invited to a special holidaqy party for this post but all thoughta are my own.

Thankful 4.0

Every year I post on Thanksgiving about the things I am thankful for. I am generally a very gracious kind of person. My needs are few and I am beyond grateful for anything anyone throws my way. This year, though, has been quite a doozey on me and my emotional state. Its been full of ups and downs and twists and turns. I'm not gonna lie, being thankful has been harder for me this year than it has been in the past.

However, I am still thankful. Maybe even more so than I ever have been. I am thankful for my little boys this year more than ever before. They have been my driving purpose. My comfort and my warmth. Even the reason I got out of the bed for awhile. They have always known how to make me smile when I was down and make me forget my troubles. This year they have been my purpose. Everything I have done and worked towards has been done with a renewed purpose to better their lives (please don't let my babies suffer other's mistakes anymore). Without those two little smiling faces I would have been a lost person in every sense of the word. I thank everything that is for them.

Then there has been the support crew. My mother and father, who have been divorced for 13 years and hadn't spoken in 10, came together to help my boys and I out. They have done everything from supporting us financially while I found a job to giving us shelter when we had no where else to go to supporting me emotionally and lifting me up when I could hardly bear to breathe. They have held my hand while I faced the kind of meanness I never thought I would have to endure and stayed by my bed while I was recoverign from various ailments.

Its something that I suppose you expect from parents but until you witness it, until you witness that kind of love, you never know just how much you need your parents. I am thankful that they have been able to put aside their differences and take care of us in a way, even thought they shouldn't have had to, that only a parent could.

Of course there were the friends old and new that I am oh so thankful for as well. One of them, Lisa, I have known since I moved to Georgia a billion (okay 15) years ago. We have been friends since then, with periods where we didn't talk as much and periods where we talked more. We got married with in a few months of each other and our boys are all with in months of each other in age (she also has a little miss that's the baby). She was one of the first people I told when T walked out and she was immediately supportive. Ever since she has been there to help out when I needed someone to watch my boys or to read my ranty text messages about love and hate. She has been my sounding board. Heck, her husband even stayed up til 3am to help us move. Needless to say, I am beyond grateful for her and her family.

I am also thankful for all of the other friends both in real life and online that have helped to life me up out of a hole and keep me moving forward. If necessary with hot pokers. There are too many to mention but you know who you are. You are the ones actually reading this. You are the ones that didn't back down and disappear when I needed you most like so many others did. When I needed an ear or someone fresh to cry at when I had cried everyone else out. You helped us with money, you helped us with words, and most of all love. I am so blessed to have each and every one of you.

Of course I have to be thankful for Bob too. Sweet Bob. I honestly don't know who rescued who at this point. Bob came to us at a time when I needed someone 24/7 and the boys needed a playmate. Someone to talk to, someone to cry on, someone to give me a purpose in the middle of the night. Bob has always been a "mama's dog". He follows me around the house watching me clean or cook or whatever. If I am sad, he will come and put his face on me or just lean up against my leg and look up at me. He knows when I need love and he rubs around and around my legs like a cat until sit down and then he will just lay his head either on my shoulder or on my lap for some love or stand there while I lay my head on his shoulder. He also loves the boys like he loves me but he is much more gentle. He loves K in particular and is always very patient with him when he is doing things like poking q-tips in Bob's ears and proclaiming him an alien. He isn't a good guard dog but damn is he a good dog.

There always the little things in life to be thankful for too. I am thankful for a roof when we were so scared we wouldn't have one there for awhile. Even if it was a piece together job there for awhile. I am thankful for my landlord for taking us in and helping us out. I am thankful for food even if it means a little hand up. I am thankful for kind looks from strangers when the boys are losing it in a store and all I can do is cry. I am thankful for my job. I am thankful for you. For my readers. For being patient with me.

I went from being broken and feeling like I had nothing to be thankful for this past winter to having more to be thankful for than my heart could hold. I hope that this Thanksgiving is the same for you. I hope that you can look back over the last year and be even more thankful than you were the last. If not, I hope that the next year brings you closer to it.

Happy Thanksgiving. Now go eat some turkey and take a nap. Tomorrow starts a whole new ball game of crazy. Here comes Christmas. Ready or not.

Black Friday 2012

Ok, so since I admitted that I wasn't as excited about the whole Thanksgiving/ Black Friday thing this year, I have had a little time to look over the ads scans. Now, for he last several years, I would have done this weeks ago in preperation for getting everything all ready for the big day. I would have analyzed shopping times and ads and made a compreshensive list of where to go and what to get. Some years I even had maps.

So, looking over the ads a little late this year has been overwhelming to say the least. Which is kind of insane considering that you used to have to wait for the Thursday paper to even see the ads. My sister and I would always get up early and go find a newspaper to sprawl out in the floor with after lunch (but before naps). After I got married, it was our job to aquire a paper on our way to my mother's house. Then, it got to where you could just look it all up on the internet a week before hand and not have to bother with the paper.

Of course, I still get the paper. I'm old school like that I suppose. Even when I have my list nailed down by Wednesday, I still make that early Thursday paper run. I like to think that its so that I can check the ads to make sure its all in order but maybe its just nostolgia at this point.

Anyway, after looking over the ads this year, I have to admit: I'm disappointed. It seems like Black Friday is no longer the intense, fun rush it used to be. Stores are opening earlier and earlier and what used to be 3 hours of intense runing from store to store, now starts at 8pm on Thanksgiving (?!) and runs through Noon on Friday.

The. Heck.

If your sale is on Thursday, its not a Black Friday sale. Its greed. Its taking families away from their loved ones on a holiday that used to mean more than consumerism in this country. ::end rant::

So, I guess having it all spread out, kind of ruins the fun for me. Add that to the fact that you can now get most of these deals online and not have to get out of your jammies and it just seems pointless. Stores like Wal- Mart and Toys R Us have ruined the fun for everyone. Thanks for that.

Still, I figure I will head out for the morning early and hit up a few of the stores opening at more traditional times. In other words 4am. Which, I guess, is not really "traditional" for most stores. It is on Black Friday though.

Are you a Black Friday shopper? What do you think about the crazy times and such this year? Will it slow you down?