Summer might be coming to a close, but it’s definitely not over yet! I know school starts on TODAY for many of the viewers, but believe me, summer is far from over!

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As I scroll through the 10,000 moments I caught on my camera from our summer vacations with the kids this summer, I can’t help but smile. It’s these soft summer moments that I cherish when I think of how wonderful our time spent together. With summer over now and back to school on the horizon, I just want to stop time and go back to porch sitting, pool hopping, spring jumping and lazy summer days. These have been some of the best moments of my life and ones I hope they will look back on and remember too. These are some of my favorite soft summer moments of 2016. I already want to go back.

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My recent trips to Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida have made a Disney believer. Read more

I’ve been around the world a time or two in Epcot and my most favorite time of year is Spring!  It’s an amazing time to see all the characters recreated as life-like topiaries!  Here’s a quick trip around the World! If you haven’t been, there still time to visit!  

Easter Brunch is one of those meals that we look forward to all year. It’s relaxing, enjoyable with family and friends, and is always delicious.

We typically invite our family over, however, we decided we really wanted to relax this year and wanted to avoid the lines at the grocery store as well as the heat from my kitchen.  When I heard that Roy’s was having an Easter Brunch special, I jumped at the chance to actually relax on a holiday!  Cooking and preparing for any holiday with a large family is always a task, so I’m ok with splurging on a few holidays to let me really enjoy the holiday!

Guests can enjoy a two-course brunch starting at just $35.95 per person!

This impressive two-course brunch menu starting at just $35.95 per person is a dream. With complimentary House Made Sticky Buns followed by a choice of appetizer.

Irresistible Lobster & Shrimp Omelet with eggs, spinach, caramelized shallots and tomatoes, Roy’s Benedict made with either filet mignon or crab cakes served atop a cheddar bacon biscuit with shies béarnaise and Macadamia Nut Pancakes with caramel bananas are top on my list for choices and I want them all! 

It’s always nice to know that a special children’s menu will also be available for $12.95, making this a memorable event that’s sure to delight the whole family.

Brunch will start at 10 a.m. on Sunday, March 27 at locations nationwide, except Hawaii and Pebble Beach. To make reservations, please visit www.roysrestaurant.com as seating will be limited.

Don’t forget my favorite part of the meal!  A special cocktail to toast the occasion and your choices include a Mimosa, Blood Orange Screwdriver, or Hawaiian Martini. 

Don’t forget to call and reserve your table, for dinner on Easter Sunday, as you will also receive a $20 dining card to use during a future visit. We can’t wait to go back!

Roy’s Tampa

4342 W Boy Scout Blvd, Tampa, FL 33607 (Across from International Plaza)

(813) 873-7697

On March 6, 2016 the Valspar Championship returns to Tampa Bay at the Innisbrook Florida, which is one of America’s most celebrated golf courses!

We love having this marquee tournament in our back yard. Innisbrook is a fabulous place to stay and is the perfect place to play golf. 

So much is happening during the week of March 6th through March 14th. Get your calendars out, find some friends and make it weekend you’ll never forget. Bring the kids because it’s such a great sport to introduce them to. They will have a great time!

 2016 Schedule of Events

Sunday, March 6
Par4Miler Run (4pm)

Click here to register

3M Million Dollar Hole-In-One Challenge (4pm)

DETAILS: NEW in 2016 at the Valspar Championship – the perfect kickoff to Tampa Bay’s PGA TOUR event week for the fitness buff is the Par4Miler. Head out on Sunday, March 6 at 4 p.m. for a four-mile timed run through the scenic tournament Copperhead course at Innisbrook to an upscale 18th hole recovery party where you will collect your one-day ticket to the tournament and a voucher for a gallon of Valspar paint.

Monday, March 7

The Monday Pro-Celebrity-Am presented by BB&T in support of the International Institute of Orthotics and Prosthetics

12pm shotgun start;

Admission is FREE

Tuesday, March 8
Professional Practice Rounds;

Admission is FREE

Wednesday, March 9

Championship Pro-Am;

Gates open at 6:00am

Thursday, March 10
1st Round Valspar Championship

Gates open at 6:00am;

Golf Channel from 3pm – 6pm

Valspar® LIVE! Concert featuring Rascal Flatts (7pm)

DETAILS: The Valspar Live! Concert featuring Rascal Flatts will be after play on THURSDAY, March 10th on the Osprey Driving Range. You will need a Thursday ticket or a Good Any One Day ticket for admittance, there is no special concert ticket.

Click here to purchase tickets
The concert will take place on the Osprey Driving Range. The Osprey Range is adjacent to the 14th fairway. Buses will be available from the Osprey Range back to tournament parking lots after the concert is over.
Admittance to the concert is complimentary to all Thursday tournament ticketholders; however, charitable donations can be made to Habitat to Humanity throughout the evening. 

All you need is a Thursday tournament ticket; you do not need a separate concert ticket. 

However, we are selling a Ultimate Concert Pass that gives you premium seating right in front of the stage. See ticket option section of website.

Friday, March 11
2nd Round Valspar Championship

Gates open at 6:00am;

Golf Channel from 3pm – 6pm

Saturday, March 12
3rd Round Valspar Championship

Gates open at 7:00am;

Golf Channel from 1pm – 3pm, NBC from 3pm – 6pm
Sunday, March 13
Final Round Valspar Championship

Gates open at 7:00am;

Golf Channel from 1pm – 3pm, NBC from 3pm – 6pm

Monday, March 14
Monday After Challenge (play the course the pros play)

Championship Rounds (Thursday – Sunday)

Fun activities happening all weekend: 

These are done great activities that you might not want to miss when you attend! 

Bright House Sports Network Pavilion (between 10th tee and 18 green)

Jabil Family Fun Zone presented by Publix(8th and 9th holes)

Michelob ULTRA 19th Hole (18th green)

Frenchy’s Pool Party (behind 18th green)

Fan Expo Area (behind 18th green)

Tampa General Hospital Interactive Health Screenings and Walk

Pinch A Penny Birdies for the Brave Patriots’ Outpost (16th green)

Will you be going this year?! We hope to see you out there! It’s great to live in Tampa Bay! 

{Photo Credit: Facebook.com/ValsparChsmpionship }

January 28th is not just any day…especially to a die-hard Lego fan. It’s actually International Lego Day, which means we are celebrating the anniversary of when the patent for the original Lego brick system was filed, in 1958. 

So how old does that make Lego? 58 years young and those little bricks continue to inspire and educate and kids each and every day. 

Living in Tampa, and only an hour away from the second largest LEGO themed park, LEGOLAND Florida in Central Florida, we often visit to explore this massive amazingly fun park, filled with rides, LEGOS, attractions, LEGOS and more LEGOS!  

Today, January 28th, is also the day of the World Premiere  movie for The LEGO® Movie™ 4D A New Adventure!  

We were invited to the world premiere at LEGOLAND Florida for their red carpet Hollywood- style premiere and it was awesome (or SUPER as I should say!)

Mocktail and fancy glasses for the kids, lots of character meet and greets, kid celebrities and of course the ne movie!! 

If you loved The Lego Movie, you ar going to LOVE this short 3D film that includes Emmet, Wyldstyle and new  friends that will reunite in an all new adventure!  And who is Risky Business?!  No spoilers here but get ready to help Emitt and Wyldstyle save the day!

The 3D movie with “4D” effects like wind, water and fog, will play at LEGOLAND Florida and LEGOLAND Discovery Centers in 2016. 

SUPER fun new attraction you wontbwantbto miss the next time you visit LEGOLAND Florida!

It’s Unkitty!
  
Working the red carpet with Emitt & Wyldstyle!

Kid-friendly mocktails in fancy glasses!

Confetti everywhere!  

Meeting up with Jen Reyneri, a fellow Trekaroo writer! 
   
    

Abby ready to watch the show!
   

The show is about to begin!

  
We had to get a picture with Risky Business!  

More of my reviews of family friendly travel places can be found on Trekaroo– the best resources for families who love to travel! 

Disclosure: I was invited as a guest of LEGOLAND Florida for this event and as always, all opinions are my own!  

If you have TMNT fan in your house that it might be worth the trip to Orlando for dinner with your favorite turtles!
Antonio’s Pizza-Rama dinner featuring the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is available and open to the public this weekend January 15 – 17, 2016.

Details:
· Adults 11 and up: $33 plus tax

· Children 4 – 10: $17 plus tax

· Children 3 and under eat free from the buffet with an adult dining full fare

· 18% gratuity on parties of six or more

· Advanced dinner reservations are required, 407-387-5438

· Open to non-hotel guests

For more information and to make reservations visit the Nick Hotel in Orlando, Florida.

Image above from Nickelodeon Suites Resort website.

Each year, we go to see the Circus! I am always in awe of the performers and what they are able to do! This year, they come to America with a 90-city tour, that begins here in Tampa Bay with their new show: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus presents Legends! This show is set to let you eyes feast on fanciful and mysterious acts that will have you in amazement! This is still “the greatest show on Earth!”

My kids have visited the circus each year and it is always a new show when it comes to town. Never the same. Yet the acts in each show are just amazing to watch! They are all so talented and so athletic that I often wonder if my 6 and 10 year old gymnast will one day run away with the circus because they have a talent that they have learned from a young age!

I learned of a program that is supported by Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey: Circus Fit! They have partnered with the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition to help children remember how FUN it is to be FIT! They have a curriculum that it is FREE and available for download so that teachers and community leaders can implement bringing fitness, nutrition and healthy living to classrooms and after-school programs anywhere!

Did you know that Circus Fit can help educators with lesson plans, interactive video clips, handouts and a host of additional support materials and information that will help you set your students or youth group on the path to a physically fit and healthy lifestyle!

My passion project, Fit Kids Playground, has taught me that fitness should be made fun for kids and coming from a clown, childhood obesity is no laughing matter! This is a wonderful way for kids to want to have fun, be silly and get fit all at the same time! I hope that more teachers, preschool coordinators or community leaders learn about this opportunity and curriculum that is available to everyone for free. It is a great way to head to the circus and talk about how all the acts use healthy habits to keep them doing the amazing things that they can do.

If you haven’t got your tickets yet, an insiders tip is that opening night is typically less in cost, but there is only one show.
There is also an additional add on this year! Ticketholders can purchase an upgrade and go backstage with a VIP Behind the Scenes Tour of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. The backstage experience includes an insider look at props and wardrobe, an up close and personal encounter with the animals and a chance to meet stars from the show. Fans will also have an opportunity to take pictures and learn educational fun facts. To take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime experience, just log on to ringlingbros.expapp.com from your iPhone or Android smartphone, and provide your name, e-mail and phone number to become a VIP circus insider.

This is a limited ticket and allows you access to a personal and once-in-a-lifetime experience that will have your family walking with clowns, petting elephants, shaking hands with the Ringmaster and standing in the infamous motorcycle Globe of Steel! How fun!

And of course, for any show, arrive an hour early for an All Access Pre-show that starts an hour before the show. Come down to the arena floor and meet the performers of The Greatest Show On Earth, get autographs, take photos and enter to win a one-of-a-kind pachyderm painting.  Take lots of pictures and be sure to show them off to your friends! It is really like you were a part of the circus!

We have been provided with a 1 family-4-pack for tickets to the Tampa Bay show happening January 6 at the Amalie Arena. 8 shows in all. We are so excited to help kids push away the screen with “the greatest show on Earth!”

a Rafflecopter giveaway

December this year in New York City was the warmest I’ve ever experienced it. Not cold enough for a jacket and even better for exploring. The city turns into a magical city Christmas in December. Buildings are decked out the nines in holiday decor and everywhere you look, it’s just beautiful. The cities attention to detail has you marveling at every corner. Here are a few sights I loved while walking around the city this trip:

 1. Rockefeller Center  

2. The Pinnsula Hotel

3. Union Square Holiday Market    

4. The Plaza Hotel

5. St. Patrick’s Cathedral    
6. The Windows at Bergdorf Goodmans

7. The Windows at Lord & Taylor