Evolution of Drag- A Musical

Last Saturday, I was invited to step out of the box and attend a show at the Palace Show Theater in Spring Hill, Florida with a friend and her mother in law. This was a show like no other, not only because of the theme, or actors and actresses involved, but because I am a self-proclaimed music lover.

My first job was at Record Town at our local mall, and I prized myself on the fact that I could "Name That Tune" within the first few notes 99% of the time, from almost every generation of music. I was not the typical kid in High School, some called me "goth" and there was no where to get fishnet stockings from, so I had to hop on a train and take it to Avenue A in The City, until the very first Hot Topic opened in our mall. I wasn't a complete freak, as I didn't pierce anything except my ears, until I was over age, and I listened to everything from the 20's to the 90's.. and I loved it. I preferred big hair bands of the 80's and grunge and electronica of the late 80's and early 90's. I jammed out to hard rock, and spent my entire paycheck on concerts, concert tees, and black lipstick.

Looking at me, 15 years later, one would never suspect that that was the 'label' I wore back then, but it was what it was. It was an awesome, exciting, awful, and enlightening time in my life, and made me into the person I am today.

So, here I sat, in a theater filled with people of all ages, giggling, singing along, and hooting and hollering at the show before us like nothing we'd ever seen before. The audience ranged from young to old; one patron was even celebrating their 80th birthday!

The Evolution of Drag took us on a musical journey from the roaring 20's through the new millennium, demonstrating classic favorites through the decades, in a show that had us all giving a standing ovation at the close of this comical, inspiring, and insanely enjoyable evening out.

Brilliantly organized to bullet, illustrate, and poke fun at the history of  U.S. pop culture, this performance was so much fun.  

As a person who overly criticizes cover bands and cover performers, I can genuinely tell you that our group was blown away by how spot on the lipsynching, dancing, and acting was. Did I mention we had a blast?! A lot of the more mature crowd mentioned that they weren't familiar with the artists after 'Cyndi Lauper' made her dash across the stage as Evolution of Drag brought the audience into the new millennium with special guests 'Katy Perry' and 'Lady Gaga'. However, the interactions with the audience kept everyone on their seats, clapping, tapping, and whistling! My only complaint was due to the sequins on a lot of the costumes, I was unable to get pictures that truly showed how fabulous the costumes were.

While The Evolution of Drag has already made its way through the Spring Hill/Hudson area, have no worries, because you'll be able to catch it at The Parliament House in late July/early August. Follow their Facebook page for more details and show times.
 

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Little Tikes Make Summer Fun! Review and Giveaway!!

Happy summer 4BabyAndMom'ers! We're still in the process of rebranding, and launching the new, improved site but the fun part is- all of our content will travel to our new site! The only teaser we can give you right now is that it will be "I.L.C." and will have a whole new feel to things.

We were hoping that we could get it all up and running by the first of July, but it looks like there will be some delays. To not hold up this product review and giveaway, I figured I would post it now. I need all of your help though, sharing it on social media, as our current link is www.4babyandmom.blogspot.com . Don't worry, as always, you'll get extra entries for it.


Now, onto the good stuff.

My 2 year old is obsessed with Jake and the Neverland Pirates, and calls them, "Oh-ho's". It's hysterical and adorable all at the same time. Our new house doesn't have a pool, and I live in Florida. It's hot. All. Year. Long. Finding fun, safe, and creative ways to keep cool- aside from stalking Pinterest- are getting harder to do. The big kids want a slip and slide, if I do a wading pool the frogs will mate in it, and well, that's just gross. I found this Anchors Away Pirate Ship, and *KNEW* the baby just had to have it! Sure enough, as soon as he saw the box, he started screaming for me to put it together. ..Ok, well, he started screaming, "Oh-ho's!!", and jumping up and down.

Set up was easy. After I called customer support. They're so nice and easy to talk to. They don't make you feel like a moron, (even though you might feel like one for calling to ask them where to find the screws that are in the box), which is always nice. In my defense, they do kind of tuck it away with a piece of the ship that's wrapped separately. Anywho.

After I found the said pieces, I put it together with the help of an excited 11 year old, 8 year old, 2 year old, and a power screw driver. Once it was together, we filled it in seconds, and the fun began. My little guy began exploring, and experiencing the water table, twisting and turning all of the gadgets on the flag pole, making it "rain" with one of the cups with holes in the bottom, and freaking out about the "oh-ho's" and boats. His new favorite was the "sharkie" or "fish". Ignore my annoying voice, but enjoy the cuteness that is my baby.



All in all, this is by far his favorite toy, and I love watching him problem solve. My only negative experience was the cannon that is on the corner has a button to squirt water with. The cannon is not designed for toddlers, or easily frustrated kids. The big kids have no problem with it, but every time Zackie tries to push it, it pops off, or doesn't work quite right, so he gets frustrated with it. I know as he grows, he'll learn how to use it better, but for now I try to redirect him when he wants to play with it.

We also had an opportunity to review the Little Tikes Easy Store Picnic Table with Umbrella which is perfect for our afternoon lunches, or even when we grill outside. My little man loves to sit at it, and pretend he's a big kid! I love that it was super easy to pop together, and if we ever chose to take it apart for a BBQ at a friends house or the beach, all it takes is 5 minutes and it's all packed up.

Now YOU have the opportunity to WIN either an Anchors Away Pirate Ship, or an Easy Store Picnic Table from Little Tikes.

Here's How to Enter:
Leave a comment telling us which toy YOUR child would love to win and why! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway





 

 

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Redesign, Renaming, and More!

So, in the process of renewing and updating our blog, a vulture came in and scooped up our domain name. Without spending a fortune to get our name and our brand back, we decided to put on our big girl britches, and grow up. Literally.

After much thought and consideration, I have realized that I've started to grow out of the image that "4BabyAndMom" stirs inside of me. I'm so much more than 'just a mom blogger', a 'review blogger', or a 'parenting blogger', or well, a mom. Aside from the many hats that the job title "mom" holds, I just realized that when I'm 50, and still wanting to write, the title of "4BabyAndMom" just isn't going to be *ME* anymore. Does that make sense?

I wanted something that will grow with me, my family, and my life. And I've found it.

With the advice from blogging friends and internet guru's, as well as the help of a very talented web designer, I'm trying to re-brand as fast as I can. I have some giveaways coming up from Little Tikes, Downy, and the Spartan Race, as well as some reviews and life articles coming up that have a whole new look on things.

Hopefully, you'll still enjoy what I have to write, and I won't lose too many of my readers, but I can't wait to start this new journey with you all! SO. . . bookmark my site www.4babyandmom.blogspot.com, as it will be the site that will redirect you to my new link, and as soon as the design is ready to launch I will let you all know the new domain.

Please, please don't be fooled by the awful ads and content on 4babyandmom dot com... it's NOT me!

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Kid President: Declaration of Awesome TV Series on the Hub! 6/21

Set your alarms or DVR's, and get ready for this pint-sized, powerful premiere.

Based on the wildly popular YouTube series “Kid President,” which has over 75 million views, 10-year-old Robby Novak, aka Kid President, brings his playful spirit, positive approach to life, and inspirational message to change this world for the better to the new TV series “Kid President: Declaration of Awesome.” This half-hour docu-variety program reflects the universal values of kids and families across the country as seen through the lens of Kid President.

In each episode, Kid President introduces a theme that is explored through interviews and interactions with a variety of diverse families. Each episode also features interactions between Kid President and a variety of guest stars, including Kevin Costner (“Draft Day”), Gene Simmons (KISS), Jamie Foxx (“The Amazing Spiderman 2”), Craig Robinson (“Get On Up”), Mario Lopez (Host, “Extra”), ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic (Musician), and plenty of other surprises. So, mark your calendars, and get ready for these amazing life lessons starting June 21st at 7pm EST/4pm PT.

The first episode is about "Heroes", forcing you to stop and truly think if a hero is someone in a cape and tights or if it's an every day person in your world. Great food for thought, and an awesome way to open conversations with your kids about real-world, heavy duty stuff. Go.. be a parent, talk to your kids about this. If you haven't heard of Kid President, run- don't walk- to YouTube and check out some of the programs there. His laugh is crazy contagious. Enjoy!

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End of {School} Year Festivities!

It's been a hell of a journey to get to where we are today. My son is in fifth grade and on the verge of being a middle schooler. Tomorrow we go on the end of the year field trip... to Sea World, Orlando!!

I'm so excited about it, probably more so than my son. It's been an emotional year.. the first one without grandma.

He's handled that better than me. It's times like this, with all of the end of the year events, that I really miss her. She wouldn't have missed this for the world.

I have no idea what I'm doing with the kids this summer. The blog will be getting a little bit of a make over, and the whole tone of my posts will change a little, to become more "me". I'm excited for the posts that I have planned, and a few reviews for products and brands that I've been loyal to through the years.

If you have a baby, snuggle with that little bundle of awesomeness.. it really does fly as soon as you blink a few times. I didn't believe it, but it's truer than any thing I've ever read on the internet.

If you have a toddler or a smaller child, breathe. Whatever they're doing that you're irritated by.. it's not the end of the world. You'll survive, and so will they. Building them up, instead of tearing them down- now that's real parenting. Be careful with the words you speak.. Looking back, I can tell you, just because he colored on the bathroom walls with blue marker is no reason to tear him down.

It's a mess, yes, but he's your baby. A glorious gift that was given to you. Cherish him. Even when he's being disobedient or naughty. Laugh. Let it go. Move on. Love them.

It goes very, very quickly.

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Blog Re-Launch! Look for the New US in June, We're Back, Baby!!

The last few years have been crazy. We've tried to hold onto our blog and post as often as we can. However, life kept us away from it, due to many factors beyond our control. Some people can work through it, but I, my friends, was just not strong enough.

An update of sorts is due to any of you who still read our blog.. thank you to our faithful subscribers.

Marissa has graduated with her teaching certificate, and we're super excited.

My big guy is moving up to Middle School, and all of his fifth grade fun things are this month.

My daughter is doing very well, now even cuter, with glasses.

My little guy is two today.. Happy Birthday, Zackie!

The road along our marriage has been bumpy, but we're still trudging along- and recently celebrated our 10th anniversary.

My mom passed away a year ago February. It's been the most difficult season of my life, dealing with that grief.

That's basically it, in a nut shell. Don't worry, there will be plenty of stories shared of some of the craziness that is my life. Some of these things I can't even make up if I tried; some are hysterical, and will hopefully have you laughing at me, and with me.

Here I am, prepping, negotiating, and scheduling some amazing reviews and giveaways for the month of June, so bookmark, pin, and share this post and get ready for the new, and improved, 4BabyAndMom.. we're not just for babies or moms, and I can't wait to show you what I mean! 







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Blue New Year

During the holidays you often hear of people saying they're having a "Blue Christmas", but this year, the whole season seemed to have just a spirit of "blah" over it. Everyone, whether financially secure, single, married, divorced, kids, no kids, except for a few jolly souls out there, seemed to have the same feeling this holiday season.

This year was the first without my mom. I won't lie. It was rough. I drank. A lot. I wish I had more. Not the healthiest, I know this in my heart of hearts, but I didn't get smashed, drive, or drink while the kids were awake, and 99% of the time I was with others.

I wanted to stay in the bed, with the comforter pulled over my head, and live off of cocoa and yogurt, but I knew that wasn't a possibility. The kids were more devastated that they couldn't go to grandma's on Christmas morning like we usually did for breakfast and presents from Santa. It sounded like it was all about the presents, but I think it was their way of dealing with it.

My sister had her party on Christmas Eve, like she always does, then my dad came by on Christmas Day. He graced us with only a few hours, and it was rough. Especially because he's only given us a few hours less than a handful of times over the course of the year. Like an ass, I thought that after my mom passed away, my father would step up. Join our family, and my children's lives again. Visit the school for Grandparents day, and go to recitals, and all of the things a normal grandparent does for their grandkids.

I find myself watching people.. at the mall, at the store, even church, and feeling so jealous of them. Mothers and daughters about my age, laughing while carrying bags full of holiday goodies, talking over recipes in the baking aisle, grandmothers giggling with their grand baby every time she raises her toes in the air so grandma can kiss them. Hell, I didn't even take my kids to see Santa Claus this year because he's old.

I still pick up the phone a gazillion times a week to call her. I take pictures of my amazing baby, who's turning into a toddler, doing amazing toddler things, and hit send before I realize that I'm sending a picture to someone in cyberspace, or to whomever inherited her phone number.

Mom's Facebook account is still "here". One of her friends used to play games out of it.. it was her way to stay close to my mom. My sister recently changed the password to it. I cannot tell you how many times I've messaged that facebook account, because I want to talk to her, or vent to her, or have her tell me every thing will work out in the end.

We're at another crossroad in our lives.

Our lease is up.

We don't wish to renew it, but finding another home in our area, in our price range, is proving very difficult.

My husband had a great job here. My heart and head want us to be able to head back up north, but I know it would be difficult to make it through a transition of that magnitude without my best friends. My friends have become my lifeline. My encouragement. The oomph I need when I'm dragging my feet. Perhaps if I felt more mentally and emotionally stable, that might be an option, but right now I'm certain moving back up north is off of the table. On top of that, we can find housing, but finding a job for my husband hasn't been successful. We have a job down here, just no housing.

Until today. We found a house we love. Now we just need to have the deposit, plus security, plus first month.. about $2000. My husband keeps telling me not to stress, and that God provides, but my faith is so jacked this year.

It's the kids bed time now, so I'm going to have to leave this post at this point. I pray that it all works out. I miss my mom like crazy, and I think I need a glass of wine after the kids go to bed. But I'm out of wine, so I'm going to grab the rum. I just want my blankey. And my mommy.  

   

 

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