Giveaway - Where Jesus Slept #WhereJesusSlept #FlyBy

Can y'all believe Thanksgiving is NEXT WEEK!? Then the Christmas hustle and bustle begins. Even though my kids are older, I still keep a shelf of Christmas books out for the months of November and December.  Sometimes when things get crazy, I'll sit on the couch and read one or two of them by the glow of the Christmas tree lights, just enjoying the peace and quiet for a bit. Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year and I enjoy finding new Christmas books to add to our holiday bookshelf.

I was able to review a new hardcover children's book that is for sure going to be on my holiday shelf from now on!  It's called Where Jesus Slept, and it has the most darling illustrations (look at that precious Baby Jesus on the cover!) and the sweetest rhymes that tell the story of the first Christmas.  I absolutely love it.   I think y'all will enjoy it too!

Here's a little more about the book:

"This is the bed where Jesus slept. This is the straw that lined the bed where Jesus slept.” From here, the story builds with each spread, adding a new element and explaining the relationships among the participants and witnesses to the first Christmas. From Jesus sleeping sweetly to the wise men bringing gifts, this charming book reminds readers young and not-so-young of the joyous event we celebrate at Christmastime. Children will love the delightful illustrations and the engaging repetition in this cumulative tale.

About the author:
Norma Lewis is the author of ten books. She lives in Grand Haven, MI, with a marmalade cat named Scalawag. They both love spending time with her six grandchildren, ranging in age from three to twenty.    Illustrated by Katy Hudson.

It's perfect for ages 4-7 and retails for $16.99.  It will surely become a Christmas must-read for your family too!



I have a copy of Where Jesus Slept to give away to one of my readers!  Just enter via my rafflecopter widget below.

Don't forget - you have to leave a comment below this post as your mandatory entry. Without that, no other entries will count, so you won't be eligible to win if you don't complete that mandatory entry.

Remember to share this post with your family and friends using the share buttons at the bottom of this post under my signature!  Good luck!

Check out the Yellow Daisy Festival this weekend! #YellowDaisy16 #StoneMountainPark

Some of the treasures we found at the Yellow Daisy Festival!

David and I spent two mornings at the 48th annual Yellow Daisy Festival at Stone Mountain Park this week and wow - the vendors this year are amazing!!  There are still two more days for you to attend, so make plans to go while I tell you a little more about it.

First of all - plan on lots of walking - we managed almost 5 miles between our two mornings there. Good walking shoes are a must. And take a frozen water bottle because you will need it!

We went at 10 am yesterday, and it was already hot and pretty crowded.  Today we got there at 8 am, paid $5 for early bird admission and that made a huge difference.  So much cooler and the crowd level was 1 out of 10! (Yesterday was more like an 8/10!)  After experiencing both early and regular admission at this year's Festival, I think it is worth the fee to get in early.

With over 400 artists and vendors there, you can find almost anything! We saw stained glass, windchimes, birdhouses, maple cutting boards, hot sauces, clothes for kids and women, leather goods, kitchen decor, musicians selling their music, plants, body and facial care products, yard decor, Christmas ornaments and decor, quilted goods, purses, artwork, bow and arrow sets, musical instruments, and so much more! I was able to knock out quite a few of my Christmas gifts there.

There are food trucks and vendors galore, and lots of places to sit and rest for a bit out of the sun. You'll even find a Man Cave-type place for the men to wait on their wives, and a Children's Corner with fun kids activities!

We got delicious popsicles from King of Pops both days.  Yesterday David got their Sweet Tea & Lemonade Pop.  Today he got that one again, and I tried the Salted Watermelon Pop.  Highly recommend them both!

The Festival is open
Saturday, September 10: (Early Bird admission is 8 - 10 am for $5 fee)
10 am - 7:30 pm
       and
Sunday, September 11: (NO Early Bird admission today)
10 am - 5 pm.

Parking is $15 per day, or an annual parking pass is $40. Festival Admission is free during regular hours with your parking fee.   If you go early, it's $5 for per person, over age 12.

Stone Moutain Park is located at 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd Stone Mountain, GA 30083

Visit Stone Mountain's website for more information!

If you go, I'd love to hear what you think of this year's festival - leave a comment below!

All Things Bright & Beautiful Giveaway & Review #flyby #AllThingsBrightandBeautiful

Hey y'all! Back with a quick review and a fun giveaway!

In case you can't tell from all my book giveaways - I love to read, and I adore books.  (I may even hoard books - I have SO many!)  I always enjoyed reading to my kids when they were little - the books were so sweet and fun to share with them.

Now I like to give children's books for shower gifts and such. I have several favorites, like Jamberry, Love you Forever, and A Bad Case of Stripes.  I had the opportunity earlier this month to review All Things Bright and Beautiful, a lovely new children's book that is based on the well-known hymn. After getting to read this book, I'm adding it to my list of faves!

I really enjoyed the sweet illustrations, and that this book would work equally well for a boy or a girl. It's just precious, and with Christmas coming, it would be a lovely gift for a child you love!

About the book:
First published by Cecil Frances Alexander in 1848, this favorite hymn has become a mainstay of churches and Sunday school classes everywhere. Here artist Katy Hudson brings new joy to the words with her fresh and bright watercolor style. Readers can join in the fun as they follow two little girls and their brother on a day filled with the discovery of “all things bright and beautiful.”

About the artist:
Katy Hudson was raised in Middlesbrough, England, and started her career as a small child drawing on freshly painted walls. Her parents quickly encouraged drawing with pencil and paper instead. The idea stuck, and after earning a degree in illustration, Katy is now a freelance illustrator. Katy works at a desk in a studio within Old London Library and likes to tap dance in her spare time.

Specs:
Jacketed hardcover
Page count: 32
Reading age: 4-7
Category: juvenile fiction/Christian
Retail price: $15.99

You can buy your copy here, or enter to win a copy below!

Merry Christmas!

I'll be taking some time off from blogging for the next few weeks to spend some much-needed down time with my son!  I would like to thank you for visiting Just Kidding Around Atlanta when you are online, either for reading or for entering contests.   2016 will bring lots of posts about our recent Florida/Disney trip, more giveaways, recipes and other fun stuff.

I hope you and your family have a blessed and memorable Christmas. May you make many special memories this Holiday season!

See you in 2016!

Giveaway:PEEPS® and PEEPS & COMPANY® #peepsholiday

Tis the season for all things sweet! Whether you’re looking to stuff stockings, top your tree or bring a smile to a loved one’s face, PEEPS® and PEEPS & COMPANY® are here to help!

David and I were excited to receive a big red box full of fun Christmas treats from PEEPS® and PEEPS & COMPANY® to check out and share with y'all.  Did you know they make chocolate mousse flavored PEEPS®?! I had no idea, but they are divine!

After we sampled a few, I got crafty with the PEEPS®.  David got to enjoy some of his favorite holiday treats, plus try a few new ones, too!  The lollipop and Holiday pop were different ways to enjoy PEEPS®.

So, here are the details on all the yumminess.... so many great flavors to try!

    PEEPS® Large Banana Crème Flavored Minion: PEEPS® introduces a new banana crème flavored marshmallow in honor of the beloved Minions characters. Three varieties of the individually packed large Minions include the likeness of Kevin, Stuart and Bob – stars of the Minions movie available on DVD this holiday season. Available only for a limited time!
·  PEEPS® Vanilla Crème Chicks Pop: Fans can celebrate holiday traditions with these four classic Vanilla Crème flavored marshmallow Chicks on a stick.
·  PEEPS® Marshmallow Minions: To celebrate the DVD release of the Minions Movie, PEEPS® created a Minion-shaped marshmallow reflecting their fun PEEPSONALITY®. The original marshmallow Minions are sure to please admirers of all ages. Available for a limited time only!
·  PEEPS® Candy Cane Flavored Marshmallow Chicks: Those who prefer their Candy Canes chicks without the chocolate can indulge in the peppermint-goodness of Candy Cane favored chicks!
·  PEEPS® Large Marshmallow Snowmen: Large, fluffy PEEPS® Brand Snowmen are fun to eat and to share! Available in one count stocking-stuffer size packages, and three count share size.
·  PEEPS® Gingerbread-Flavored Marshmallow Gingerbread Men: Now you can get the gingerbread flavor you crave all year long in something other than a cookie with PEEPS® gingerbread flavored marshmallow gingerbread men.
·  PEEPS® Marshmallow Trees: It wouldn’t be the holiday season without seeing a Christmas tree! Enjoy green PEEPS® tree-shaped marshmallow decorated with red, yellow and blue garland and topped with a star.
·  PEEPS® Marshmallow Snowmen: PEEPS® traditional sized snowmen! PEEPS® Marshmallow Snowmen are adorned with a top hat and candy cane decorations with a nostalgic look.

 · PEEPS® Chocolate Mousse-Flavored Marshmallow Reindeer: These reindeer shaped marshmallow PEEPS® are chocolate-mousse flavored and oh so delicious!
· PEEPS® Holiday Pop: This delicious marshmallow flavored pop comes with four assorted Chicks representing the holiday colors: green, red and white.

Information about the PEEPS & COMPANY® products:
· PEEPS® Plush: Cuddle up with your favorite PEEPS® this year. Perfect for stocking stuffer or under the tree and a warm surprise. Plush varieties include:  PEEPS® Gingerbread Man, PEEPS® Elf Plush Chick, PEEPS® Plush Candy Cane Chick, PEEPS® Plush Snowman.

David claimed this plush PEEP for himself - it's so soft! 

·  MIKE AND IKE® MERRY MIX Candy: Filled with 4 ounces of MIKE AND IKE candies featuring Lime, Cherry and Holiday Punch flavors, this is a great way to add a little extra sweetness to the presents you give or if you need an item on hand for a quick gift that's sure to please the sweetest people in your life.
·  PEEPS® Lollipop: A delightful handmade PEEPS® lollipop perfect for party favors, stocking stuffers, or secret Santa surprises. Available in PEEPS® Gingerbread or PEEPS® Snowmen varieties.

Some of the fun things we did with our PEEPS®....

Try the candy cane PEEPS® in your favorite hot chocolate - delish!  The candy cane PEEPS® were my favorite.  So tasty!

Mix PEEPS with your favorite candies in glass jars or vases to make adorable centerpieces for holiday meals or parties!

Or just tuck them into stockings for a delicious Christmas surprise!

Would you like to try some of these delicious treats yourself? You are in luck! PEEPS® and PEEPS & COMPANY® are giving my readers a discount code to use through 12/31.  It is valid for 20% off your next purchase on their website, no minimum required, from now through Thursday, December 31. Discount code: SWEETINGS15.

They also want to give one of my readers a prize pack featuring several of the products we sampled!  Just enter via the Rafflecopter widget below - if you don't see it, click the link to bring it up, and good luck!  (prize pack will vary from pictures, sponsor will select products to send!)

Holiday in the Park at Six Flags over Georgia

I just adore this time of year! Getting ready for Christmas, all the fun and traditions, the decorations, the music, the food..... so much good stuff packed into the last two months of the year.

We found a new holiday tradition that I can't wait to share with y'all!  Did you know that Six Flags over Georgia is open for Christmas?  It's called Holiday in the Park and it is fantastic!  We went with our friends Tiffany & Seth, and it was great fun!

First - the lights.  Oh my goodness, the park absolutely transforms once the sun sets!  There are millions of twinkling, glittery lights everywhere! And trees!  It's just beautiful.

The tree lighting was fun and a special start to our evening. After all, a Christmas-themed wonderland is not complete without a gigantic tree and ceremonial lighting. The tree will be lit by U.S. Service personnel, along with their loved ones, at 6 p.m. each night of Holiday in the Park.

There are so many areas to explore: A Main Street Christmas, Peppermint Plaza, Retro Christmas USA, Glohill, Holiday City, North Pole and more! You'll want to visit every place and see the sights!

There are plenty of rides available during Holiday in the Park, too.  My son isn't big on any thrill rides and coasters, but we did get him on the train and carousel this visit.  And I rode the Harley Quinn Spinsanity again - it's my favorite!!  It is really neat to see the park all lit up at night from the rides!

Make sure to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus, and you may even see an elf or two! There are strolling carolers, holiday music, even mistletoe in front of the Monster Mansion! So make sure you stop for a kiss from someone you love.

There is plenty of yummy food and hot drinks for you to enjoy too.  S'mores, peppermint funnel cakes...you will find all kinds of sweets, and different hot cocoas - try it with Peeps marshmallows!  After your visit, you'll have to let me know your favorite treat from Holiday in the Park in the comments below.

Our favorite was the chicken and beignets. So tasty!  Plus a cup of hot cocoa with whipped cream.  David also tried the mint fudge, and cheddar popcorn - both were hits! 

I hope you and your family will take some time to check out Holiday in the Park this holiday season, and make it a part of your Christmas traditions.  It's really beautiful, and such a fun way to get your Christmas on!

To find out the complete schedule, activities, and other information about Holiday in the Park, please visit this link.

Disclaimer: Six Flags over Georgia hosted us at Holiday in the Park for an evening in order to experience the park, and write this review.  No other compensation was received. 

Giveaway: Stone Mountain Christmas 2015

Despite the crazy weather we are dealing with (hot, rainy, cold, rainy, windy, rainy) it's time to start thinking about Christmas!  For my family, one way we usher in the holiday season is a visit to Stone Mountain Christmas at Stone Mountain Park.  Everything there is designed to put you in the Christmas spirit!

The lights are the first thing you'll see as you enter the gate.  There are lovely snowflakes on light poles, Christmas lights on all the buildings, and don't forget to take a quick drive down Snowflake Lane. Everything is sparkling, merry and bright.   And look up - you just might spy mistletoe, so keep your honey close by!

Stone Mountain Christmas is offered on select dates from November 7 - January 3.  On those dates, check out the fun and festive Christmas Parade that delivers Santa & Mrs. Claus to Christmas Corner. You'll enjoy the performers from the shows, plus catch a glimpse of the beautiful Snow Angel!

After the parade, we always head straight to the Singalong Christmas Train.  It's a little different this year (no onscreen antics with elves - just lyrics for the songs playing). We enjoyed the selection of carols, including White Christmas, Walking in a Winter Wonderland, and other family favorites. And if you like seeing the performance of "The Gift" midway through the ride, you will really love it this year. This year was my favorite performance of all the years we've attended  - really beautiful and heartwarming.

After a fun train ride around the Mountain, we usually visit Santa, do a little shopping, and check out the characters you might see in the park.  Gingerbread Man, Rudolph, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, and even Mrs. Claus got a picture with David this year!   We love watching the glassblower at work, and looking at his beautiful glassware in the store next door. You'll also find a fantastic toy store, candy store, and a few other gift stores to visit!  You can also visit the Snow Angel, and decorate yummy cookies.

Did you know Stone Mountain Park was named by USA Today as one of the ten best places in the country to catch Santa Claus?!  My son humored me and had a quick talk and then a picture with Santa. 

Time for the 4D movie - it's right across the walkway from Santa.   This year SMP is offering Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas.  Can a handful of prehistoric misfits really save the holiday? Find out in this hilarious adventure featured in 3-D with added in-theater effects that will transport you back to the Ice Age.

The shows being offered this year include A Christmas Carol,  Forever Christmas, and Holly Jolly Cabaret.  We especially enjoyed the Christmas Carol - David got such a kick out of it!  The actors in all of the shows are great, and the music is festive. This year's new show is The Littlest Christmas Tree.  It’s Christmas Eve and the smallest tree on the lot has been passed over and is feeling low. Good thing his new friends Betty the Bunny, Sammy the Skunk and Nutty the Squirrel are there to help him see his inner worth! The tale of The Littlest Christmas Tree is sure to be a new, family favorite.

The night ends with the lovely Snow Angel flying through the courtyard and her magical snowfall, plus a fireworks finale! If your kids can stay up til 9:45 it is truly worth staying for - a really beautiful ending to a fantastic night with your family!

And finally - the food!  I must share that The Campfire Grill has some seriously good comfort food ready for you. We tried the Sausage Skillet, Pot Roast with veggies, Chicken Tenders, (they also have Fried Chicken) and a huge Cranberry Apple Salad.  Sides were mac-n-cheese, baked beans and mashed potatoes with gravy. Plus they throw their delicious yeast rolls to you!  It was all awesome, but David's favorites were the chicken and mac-n-cheese.  Mine were the yummy, tangy salad plus the pot roast and the baked beans.   I wish I'd remembered to get a picture of the yummy dessert they sent home with us. Stone Mountain's new buttery, delicious cinnamon bread is to die for!  Make sure to pick up a loaf while you are there - it's warm, gooey and oh so good!

We had such a fantastic time at Stone Mountain Christmas this year.  And we left with Christmas Spirit! I'm working on getting our trees finished up this week, and wrapping gifts.  I am determined to get things done early so I can enjoy December with my family this year - no last-minute stressing! If you are ready for a big dose of Christmas spirit and family fun, please pick a date to take your family for a fun evening at Stone Mountain Christmas!  You can find out ticket information here. However..... one lucky reader will win a family four-pack of tickets to attend!! Enter my giveaway via the rafflecopter widget below.  (Click the link if the widget isn't visible!)

Review: Great book series for reluctant young readers!

I am fortunate to have a child who loves nothing better than a good book. He comes by it honestly, from his mama!  I've literally got books started all over the place - one is always in the van, in case I have to wait somewhere. Then there's a bathtub basket of books, and one on my nightstand too! You might even spy one on my kitchen table, and one on the coffee table!  So you can understand why I'm thrilled that he loves reading so much, too.  Some days after his school work is done, you'll find us both cozied up in my bed with our books, or reclining on each end of the sofa reading.  It's definitely a passion for us both!

D's breezed through several series of books this year - including the Maximum Ride books and the Gone series, plus the Maze Runner and The Giver.  When I had the opportunity to check out the first book in a series by author Jeff Gunhus, I knew my son would be excited too! I read the description and knew he would be hooked.

The series is called The Templar Chronicles and so far, there are four books in it.  Book one is Jack Templar, Monster Hunter.  You can read more about it here!  My son gave me his mini-review to share: "GREAT characters, a plot that was fast-paced with lots of action, and I really liked reading about all of the monsters in the book!"  He was really bummed when he finished the last page of Jack Templar, Monster Hunter. Well....he doesn't know it, but he will be getting the next book for New Year's, so he can continue the series!  (there will eventually be seven books in it). If your kiddos enjoyed Harry Potter, or Percy Jackson, they are going to love this series too.  Even a child who doesn't love reading will enjoy all of the action and adventure in Jack Templar!

If you are still looking for a last minute Christmas gift for a special kiddo in your life,  this book (or all four!) would be great for young readers (maybe 5th/6th grade and up)   You can get it for kindle too - no leaving the house required!

Jeff Gunhus also has a highly rated book for parents with kids who don't love reading. It's about reaching the reluctant readers in your life, and you can find out more and purchase it here.
Over on Amazon, learn how he turned his son, a reluctant reader, into an avid reader!

You can see all of the books from Mr. Gunhus at his website.  I'm thrilled that my son loves his books so much - we are now big fans of his work and look forward to finishing this series!

I received a free copy of the book for my son to read for this review.  No other compensation was received.  

Old Factory Candle Set Review

I was recently offered the opportunity to review a set of candles from Old Factory Candles and since I'm kind of obsessed with wonderfully-scented candles, I was thrilled! After looking at all of the choices they offered, I finally decided on the Happy Holidays set, which contained one of each scent: Christmas Tree, Candy Cane and Gingerbread.

When the package arrived, it was a little smaller than I expected.  But when I opened the Gingerbread candle, it smelled divine!  I had to smell the other two and they were just as wonderful!  The three glass jars are packaged in a cute little box - it was just perfect for gift giving.

These candles burn for a long while.  The description stated 20 hours, and I know I was able to enjoy them for several long afternoons over the course of a week.  They made the main floor of my house smell amazing.  The Gingerbread was my favorite, as it smelled like I'd been baking!  The scent was strong all the way to the bottom of the candle.  I love soy candles, and I love that these are handmade in the USA.

These would make a great gift for a teacher or co-worker, or a friend who loves candles.  I will have to try the Vacation gift set next time!

Here is more information from the manufacturer:

These candle gift sets each contain 3 different scented candles. Each candle burns clean and even for 20 hours. Hand-poured in the USA with natural soy wax, self-trimming wicks, and premium fragrance oils. Each gift set is themed around a group of related fragrances. So everyone is sure to find something perfect for every occasion, every room in the house, and all the special someones in your life.

Below are the list of Themes and their related fragrances. 
Fall Harvest
Pumpkin Spice
Cranberry
Autumn Leaves

Happy Holidays
Christmas Tree
Candy Cane
Gingerbread

Winter Wonderland
Hot Cocoa
Roasted Chestnut
First Snow

Romance
Rose Petals
Champagne
Dark Chocolate

Fresh & Clean
Lemongrass
Olive Blossom
Fresh Linen

Spa Day
Cucumber
Lemongrass
Green Tea

Vacation
Sea Breeze
Hawaiian Lei
Awapuhi

Coffee Shop
Coffee Bean
Hazelnut
Chai Tea

Man Cave
Straight Razor
Leather
Mahogany

High as a Kite
Cannabis
Incense
Bag O' Cookies

New Born Baby
Baby Powder
Baby Shampoo
First Blanket

50 Shades
Leather
Vanilla ***
Jasmine Bubbles


I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Giveaway! The Three Dogateers DVD

Hey y'all!  Have you heard about The Three Dogateers? This sounds like a Christmas family movie you'll want to watch with your kids every year!   It's about three pampered pooches left to guard the house on Christmas Eve.  They become fearless DOGATEERS when thieves break in and steal every present, every ornament—even the yuletide tree! Vowing to save Christmas, the three canines set out in search of Santa, the only one who can help them on their quest.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/39746485

#TheThreeDogateers

The Three Dogateers is Dove “Family-Approved”!



Check out the trailer in the blog app below: 





I'm excited to have another giveaway to share ~ one of y'all will win a copy of The Three Dogateers on DVD! All you have to do is enter through the Rafflecopter widget below....

Stone Mountain Christmas 2014

Last week we attended Stone Mountain Christmas  with my sister and niece.  We spent a wonderful evening getting our Christmas spirit on.  Unless you are the Grinch, there is no way you can visit and not leave feeling Christmas Joy in your heart!  Now through January 4 (on select dates) you can enjoy the Christmas glow of over two million lights, plus a hilarious 4-D movie,  live shows, a parade, the Singalong Christmas train, and so much more!

Some of our favorite things to do at Stone Mountain Christmas:

The Nightly Christmas Parade: Catch a glimpse of all of the characters and actors as they arrive in Crossroads each evening. Music, dancing and lots of fun await!  We found a place near the 4-D theater to watch and it was perfect!

Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas 4-D movie  :   it may be short in length, but it is jam-packed with fun. There are lots of 4-D effects to thrill the kids, so be prepared and put your phones and cameras safely away so they don't get wet!  My son and niece are 10 and they both thought the movie experience was terrific.  

The Singalong Christmas Train:  It's not Christmas if we didn't get to take a ride on the Christmas train! Sing carols, look at Christmas lights,  watch the antics of two silly elves on the monitors throughout the train cars, and watch "The Gift", a touching live presentation about the real reason for CHRISTmas.  The ride lasts about 40 minutes, and it can get chilly on the open-air cars.  Make sure you've got mittens and hats! It's one of our favorite parts of Stone Mountain Christmas.

Character meet and greets: your kids can meet Bumble, Rudolph, the Snow Angel and more characters while checking out all the great fun at Stone Mountain Christmas.  You can even visit with Santa!

We love to eat at The Campfire Grill.  The Campfire Skewers are delicious and the S'mores Skillet is amazing. They have lots of fun camping and forest-themed effects throughout the restaurant to keep the kiddos happy too.  Always good food, good service, and a good time at The Campfire Grill.

Make sure you try the  Funnel cakes and Snowflakes (basically a deep fried belgian waffle) for dessert.  Order them plain or add sauces, fruits and toppings.  The perfectly sweet ending for an evening at Stone Mountain Christmas.

Stone Mountain puts on fabulous Christmas shows ~ there is something for everyone.  From Toyrific to Forever Christmas, you will enjoy great music and entertainment for the whole family. Click here for a list of all of the shows you can see this year.

Need a shopping break? There are lots of places to shop at Stone Mountain Park.  This year we came home with a beautiful, hand-blown glass Christmas ornament from The Stone Mountain Glass Shop, made right there!  They also have a toy store, candy store, a gift shop in the train depot and other spots throughout the park.  You can find some great Christmas gifts there!

Until this year, we've never been able to stay long enough for the Finale with the Snow Angel, Fireworks and Snowfall.  We live about an hour away, so we usually ended up taking the kids home for bed before the 9:45 finale.  This year, however, we were determined to stay til the very end and it was SO worth it! The Snow Angel flies in and floats above you, then she starts a glorious fireworks show complete with snow!  To see the wonder in the eyes of all the kids there was magical! I highly recommend that you stay and experience the Finale when you visit Stone Mountain Christmas.

We thoroughly enjoyed our evening at the Park, and I hope you and your family can attend too! It's a nice way to reconnect with your family, and enjoy lots of holiday entertainment. 

Have you ever visited Stone Mountain Christmas? If not, what is your favorite Christmas event to attend?  Leave me a comment below!


Disclosure: Stone Mountain Park invited us out for an evening at the Park to preview Stone Mountain Christmas in order to review it.  No other compensation was received, and all opionions given here are my own.  

Paula Deen Live! Holiday Show Atlanta area only!

I am so excited to share my latest giveaway.  As y'all know, Paula Deen is Queen here in the South when it comes to cooking!  My readers know I've even shared a few of her recipes here on the blog.  I love her attitude, her sassiness, and the delicious food she creates! So I am thrilled to announce a giveaway for two tickets to the Paula Deen Live! Holiday Edition Show, which will be November 16 at 6 pm in Atlanta.  One winner will receive TWO free tickets to the show!  (Contest open only to Atlanta-area residents)

Come see Paula's live show at the Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta, GA on Nov 16 and get a heaping helping of Paula's recipes, some good old-fashioned fun and lots of laughter. Join Paula as she demonstrates how to make her favorite seasonal dishes, shares family stories and plays cooking games with her fans. Some lucky audience members will even get to join Paula on stage! How awesome would that be?!

To enter, I've got a rafflecopter widget below with a few mandatory entries, and several optional ones - enter as many times as you'd like using the available entry methods.  A few are available for you to do every day so come back often!  Please share this giveaway with your Atlanta friends, and good luck!!

Play Nintendo at the Mall of Georgia this weekend!

Atlanta friends, this one is just for you!! David and I spent the morning at the Mall Of Georgia where we checked out the FREE Play Nintendo Tour 2014! It was a blast! (I first heard about this event over at www.productreviewmom.com - check her blog out for great Atlanta area events and fun, too!)

If your kids enjoy video games, they will be thrilled with the chance to play some of their favorite games at the Play Nintendo Tour stop in Atlanta. Mario, Zelda, Yoshi and Pokemon are just a few of the fun characters they will be able to enjoy!  Radio Disney is there providing fun, upbeat music while you play, too.

We got there right when they opened (10 am), so only a few other participants were there.  We got a passport from Jessica, one of the super-friendly staff members.  She explained  that we would have the opportunity to  visit all six game worlds, play the game there, then answer a trivia question and get a sticker on the passport for that world.

When David filled up his card, he would take it to the Nintendo Claw machine for a chance to win! Jessica also gave us a brochure with info about the Nintendo 2DS, plus five games that are priced at $29.99,  and some coupons for 10% off at Target.  The coupons are good through 10/31 so they are perfect for early holiday shopping!

This is DEFINITELY on D's Christmas list! I love the new durable design - no clamshell hinge to break!  David really enjoyed playing on it today. 

We started out with Donkey Kong, one of D's favorites.  They had the cutest banana-shaped bean bags there!

Jessica and David playing Donkey Kong

After playing for a while, and getting his sticker, we moved to The Legend of Zelda, A Link Between Worlds.  It was a castle-themed land, and he enjoyed playing the game! He got another sticker here.

David had a great time in the other game worlds too, and picked up a sticker in each for his correct trivia answers.

Another great staff member, named David, here with my David!
Everyone was so helpful and friendly!

Pokemon X & Pokemon Y

Kirby:Triple Deluxe 

He filled his passport with all six stickers, plus a bonus one.  That got him three tries on the Claw Machine, but no luck.  Oh well!

Two of David's favorite things today ~  He got to try out Tomodachi Life:

and he was one of the first people to try out Super Smash Bros, which doesn't come out til early October! He can't wait - he said it was his favorite game of the day! And because we got there so early in the day, he got lots of one-on-one instruction from staff members. (Meaning he got some great hints and tricks from them - he was able to learn a lot!)

The Play Nintendo Tour 2014 will be at the Mall of Georgia, lower level near Nordstrom, through Sunday, August 17th.  (Regular mall hours) The Mall is located at:3333 Buford Dr., Buford, GA 30519-4913.   Costumed Nintendo characters will be available for photos at 2 pm each day.  It's SO much fun.  If you can get there and spend a couple hours with your kid, y'all will have a great time! (If you have smaller kids, there is a Simon play place adjacent to the Play Nintendo space so all ages can have a good time.)

There are two more stops in the Play Nintendo Tour - Houston, TX and Irvine, CA.  Click the link to find out those dates!

Please let me know what you think if you go to the #PlayNintendoTour