Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
#ExploreBranson: The Perfect Midwest Vacation Destination
Disclosure: my family is attending a press event to Branson, MO later this month. We will receive complimentary accommodations, attraction tickets, and select meals. Regardless, all opinions expressed are my own. I've been visiting Branson since I was a little girl and it's one of my favorite places!
I am so excited. We are taking a family vacation later this month, and we're going to Branson! Located in south Missouri, this tourist destination has been a staple in my life forever! Some of my earliest memories are from trips to Branson with my mom, dad, and brother. Since I'm in Kansas City, it's a pretty close location for vacationing: we can make the drive in about three and a half hours. That's totally do-able with our toddlers!
Last year, I shared my Hollywood Wax Museum review - it was a blast. This summer, we're tackling a lot of attractions that I have never visited, even in years of Branson tourism. A few highlights that I cannot wait to hit include the Showboat Branson Belle Dinner Cruise, Sight & Sound Theatre's Jonah show, White Water, and the Butterfly Palace and Rainforest Adventure.
That's not to say we'll leave out any of our favorites - we're planning to hit the Titanic Museum, Ride the Ducks (which I haven't experienced since I was a little girl), and of course, Silver Dollar City!
Silver Dollar City is where most of my childhood vacation memories are centered. It was such a magical place to me as a child, and I want my kids to experience that same magic. We tried visiting Silver Dollar City at Christmas with kids last fall, and it was wonderful. When I told Lincoln that we're going back to the place with the big Christmas tree (although we won't get to see that particular sight in the summer, of course), his face lit up. I think maybe the fantastic experience is already set in his mind.
Have you ever been to Branson? If you're anywhere within driving distance, I sincerely recommend it. Feel free to contact me for ideas about attractions and lodging. I seriously love it there! For more info, visit Explore Branson and make sure you're following along on my social media channels - I'll be tweeting live from the attractions we visit with photos and fun facts!
Disclosure: my family is attending a press event to Branson, MO later this month. We will receive complimentary accommodations, attraction tickets, and select meals. Regardless, all opinions expressed are my own. I've been visiting Branson since I was a little girl and it's one of my favorite places! For more info, you can view my Disclosure Policy.
I am so excited. We are taking a family vacation later this month, and we're going to Branson! Located in south Missouri, this tourist destination has been a staple in my life forever! Some of my earliest memories are from trips to Branson with my mom, dad, and brother. Since I'm in Kansas City, it's a pretty close location for vacationing: we can make the drive in about three and a half hours. That's totally do-able with our toddlers!
Last year, I shared my Hollywood Wax Museum review - it was a blast. This summer, we're tackling a lot of attractions that I have never visited, even in years of Branson tourism. A few highlights that I cannot wait to hit include the Showboat Branson Belle Dinner Cruise, Sight & Sound Theatre's Jonah show, White Water, and the Butterfly Palace and Rainforest Adventure.
That's not to say we'll leave out any of our favorites - we're planning to hit the Titanic Museum, Ride the Ducks (which I haven't experienced since I was a little girl), and of course, Silver Dollar City!
Silver Dollar City is where most of my childhood vacation memories are centered. It was such a magical place to me as a child, and I want my kids to experience that same magic. We tried visiting Silver Dollar City at Christmas with kids last fall, and it was wonderful. When I told Lincoln that we're going back to the place with the big Christmas tree (although we won't get to see that particular sight in the summer, of course), his face lit up. I think maybe the fantastic experience is already set in his mind.
Have you ever been to Branson? If you're anywhere within driving distance, I sincerely recommend it. Feel free to contact me for ideas about attractions and lodging. I seriously love it there! For more info, visit Explore Branson and make sure you're following along on my social media channels - I'll be tweeting live from the attractions we visit with photos and fun facts!
Disclosure: my family is attending a press event to Branson, MO later this month. We will receive complimentary accommodations, attraction tickets, and select meals. Regardless, all opinions expressed are my own. I've been visiting Branson since I was a little girl and it's one of my favorite places! For more info, you can view my Disclosure Policy.
Monday, June 2, 2014
My Life As A Dad: Daddy & Co Celebrity Gift Pack Giveaway
Moms, let's talk about diaper bags - or more specifically, the tendency of the husbands and fathers in our lives to shy away from wanting to haul around a "girly" diaper bag. My husband is awesome about this, and will actually carry my magenta-colored bag without complaining. However, if he has the kids himself, he prefers something more "manly" - and it usually ends up being a backpack. Keep reading for a chance to win a prize pack that includes a perfect backpack for dad to use!
There's a new web series out and it's called My Life As A Dad? It is hosted by Robert “Daddy” Nickel the Daddy behind Daddy & Co. The first show of its kind, My Life As A Dad delves into the lives of celebrity and professional athlete Dads to give the rest of the world a peek into their journey to become daddies. The show includes interviews, games, advice, kid jam sessions and more.
There are a lot of resources for moms out there, but finding fun stuff for dads to watch and read about parenting can be a little tougher. This series sounds like a fun way to take a peek behind the scenes at how others handle parenthood.
Giveaway
Daddy & Co is celebrating the launch of their weekly web series by offering you a chance to win one of their Celeb Daddy Gift Packs ($162 value)! The Celeb Daddy Gift Pack allows all Dads the chance to be celebrated like the celebrities and heroes they are. This Gift Pack features Daddy & Co.’s Daddy Diaper Pack, Big Daddy Hook, What Daddy Bear Loves + Daddy Bear, I’m The Daddy Water Bottle, Sunglasses, one set of Daddy & Me Tees, and 1 box of Daddy’s Disposable Diaper Changing Pads.
One reader will win a Celeb Daddy Gift Pack! This giveaway will end on June 13. This giveaway is open to US and Canadian readers only. Winner will be emailed and will have 72 hours to respond or prize will be forfeited.
To enter the giveaway, follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter form below (you may need Javascript enabled to see the form and it may take a moment to load)! Once you complete the first entry, the other options will open up so that you can complete them as well. All of the "extra entries" are optional - you can do just one, or as many as you want! Winners will be contacted by email. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveawayDisclosure: Director Jewels received no compensation to participate in this giveaway and all views expressed are my own. For more information, you can read my Giveaway Policy and my Disclosure Policy.
"Til the Morning: Lullabies & Songs of Comfort" CD Review + Giveaway
Disclosure: I received a sample CD for review purposes. No other compensation was received and all opinions expressed are my own.
Lullabies are a given when you have a baby in your house. I find myself singing nonsense words during the day, and humming my kids off to sleep at night. Music is powerful and I love filling up our home with songs that are beautiful and meaningful.
This upcoming album release is a beautiful mixed collection of original songs plus some that are well-known and loved. Artists Sarah Sample and Edie Carey decided in 2012 to combine their talents and create this album after they walked through Edie's journey of infertility. The focus of their album is to honor the quiet moments between parent and child, plus to acknowledge the struggle of infertility and the painful road that can come with it.
'Til the Morning: Lullabies and Songs of Comfort opens with a cover of the Dixie Chicks' "Lullaby," which sets lyrics of maternal love and devotion in a texture of cascading vocal and instrumental lines and features guest performer Mai Bloomfield (of Raining Jane and Jason Mraz) contributing the golden sound of her cello and ethereal harmonies. An exquisite treatment of Wilco's "California Stars" follows, bringing out the elegance of its mesmerizing harmonic progression. Other highlights include the beloved perennial, "Turn Around," the familiar hymn "Softly and Tenderly" (with lyrics modified to reference "Mama" and "children"), Townes Van Zandt's treasured song "If I Needed You," and "La La Lu," the famous lullaby sung by Peggy Lee in Walt Disney's Lady and the Tramp.
This album will be released on June 24, 2014.
Here's the track list -
1. Lullaby
2. California Stars
3. Turn Around
4. Slumber My Darling
5. North Star
6. I'm On Your Side
7. Softly & Tenderly
8. Your Own Stars
9. If I Needed You
10. All the Pretty Little Horses
11. La La Lu
12. These Things
13. Sweet Sweet Dreams
14. Now The Day Is Over
I love the harmony of this album of unexpected vocal duets. I am constantly making up harmonies to my kids' lullaby songs, so this adds a fun dimension for me as a listener. Some of my standout favorites from the album include Turn Around (it makes me cry), La La Lu (because Addie is obsessed with Lady & the Tramp - and I know this song will always remind me of this stage in her toddler life), and These Things (especially poignant for a mama who has waited a long, long time to have her dreams of a child fulfilled).
Hop over to the websites of Sarah Sample or Edie Carey, where you can read all about this album collaboration. You can also follow along on Facebook (Sarah Sample and Edie Carey) or Twitter (Sarah Sample and Edie Carey).
Disclosure: Thank you to Waldmania for providing my sample CD and the giveaway prize! I received no other compensation and all views expressed are my own. For more information, you can read my Giveaway Policy and my Disclosure Policy.
Lullabies are a given when you have a baby in your house. I find myself singing nonsense words during the day, and humming my kids off to sleep at night. Music is powerful and I love filling up our home with songs that are beautiful and meaningful.
This upcoming album release is a beautiful mixed collection of original songs plus some that are well-known and loved. Artists Sarah Sample and Edie Carey decided in 2012 to combine their talents and create this album after they walked through Edie's journey of infertility. The focus of their album is to honor the quiet moments between parent and child, plus to acknowledge the struggle of infertility and the painful road that can come with it.
'Til the Morning: Lullabies and Songs of Comfort opens with a cover of the Dixie Chicks' "Lullaby," which sets lyrics of maternal love and devotion in a texture of cascading vocal and instrumental lines and features guest performer Mai Bloomfield (of Raining Jane and Jason Mraz) contributing the golden sound of her cello and ethereal harmonies. An exquisite treatment of Wilco's "California Stars" follows, bringing out the elegance of its mesmerizing harmonic progression. Other highlights include the beloved perennial, "Turn Around," the familiar hymn "Softly and Tenderly" (with lyrics modified to reference "Mama" and "children"), Townes Van Zandt's treasured song "If I Needed You," and "La La Lu," the famous lullaby sung by Peggy Lee in Walt Disney's Lady and the Tramp.
Here's the track list -
1. Lullaby
2. California Stars
3. Turn Around
4. Slumber My Darling
5. North Star
6. I'm On Your Side
7. Softly & Tenderly
8. Your Own Stars
9. If I Needed You
10. All the Pretty Little Horses
11. La La Lu
12. These Things
13. Sweet Sweet Dreams
14. Now The Day Is Over
I love the harmony of this album of unexpected vocal duets. I am constantly making up harmonies to my kids' lullaby songs, so this adds a fun dimension for me as a listener. Some of my standout favorites from the album include Turn Around (it makes me cry), La La Lu (because Addie is obsessed with Lady & the Tramp - and I know this song will always remind me of this stage in her toddler life), and These Things (especially poignant for a mama who has waited a long, long time to have her dreams of a child fulfilled).
Hop over to the websites of Sarah Sample or Edie Carey, where you can read all about this album collaboration. You can also follow along on Facebook (Sarah Sample and Edie Carey) or Twitter (Sarah Sample and Edie Carey).
Giveaway
One Director Jewels reader will win a copy of "Til the Morning" on CD! This giveaway will end on June 23 at 11:59pm CST. This giveaway is open to US readers only. Winner will be emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or prize will be forfeited.
To enter the giveaway, follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter form below (you may need Javascript enabled to see the form and it may take a moment to load)! Once you complete the first entry, the other options will open up so that you can complete them as well. All of the "extra entries" are optional - you can do just one, or as many as you want! Winners will be contacted by email. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveawayDisclosure: Thank you to Waldmania for providing my sample CD and the giveaway prize! I received no other compensation and all views expressed are my own. For more information, you can read my Giveaway Policy and my Disclosure Policy.
Sunday, June 1, 2014
22/52
"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014."
Lincoln - fighting fires at the Omaha Children's Museum (review coming soon).
Addie
-Tiny fashionista has quite the sense of style.
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