Saturday, June 29, 2013

Bloggers Wanted! Sign Up Here!

Great New Opp For Bloggers!

GiftHulk Summer Event

Organized by: Mom to Bed by 8
Prizes: Four $50 Amazon Gift Cards
Event dates: 7/15 - 7/29
Bloggers Wanted ~ SIGN-UP HERE!

Friday, June 28, 2013

Am I Crazy?

No, wait. Don't answer that. I already know the answer. 

But, really now... I need advice, I need opinions, I need someone to either talk me out of what I'm about to do, or stand in my corner and cheer me on, and make me feel better about the situation. Either one is fine, really.. Just pick a side, and let's go with it.

I think I'm going to go back to school. 




For real this time. I tried my hand at college once before, right out of high school. (And, by tried my hand, I mean, slept a few nights a week at an all-girls college, while running around, blowing money and drinking lots of bourbon for the other nights)......... But it didn't work out. I decided I wanted to come home, I wanted my own apartment, and I wanted to move in with my boyfriend (now my hubby). But, I knew it was the wrong choice.. even as I was doing it I knew it was the wrong choice.. I mean, I still could have moved back home, gotten my own apartment, moved in with the hubs, but I didn't have to leave school too. I know that now. I knew it would be hard to go back, I knew it, and I left anyway. It was one of those decisions that I was vividly aware was the wrong decision, but I kept making it anyway. Back then, I didn't trust my gut well enough I guess... 

Anyhow, nine, almost ten short years later... here I am... I've tried to go back a few times before, but it's never worked out.. and now, two babies later, I'm ready. 

However, I've kinda got my feet wet with a few other things right now... Like these two kids I'm taking care of, for the next 17 years... you know, my kids... I don't have a mom or a dad, or an extended family who can take care of them. We don't do babysitters, either.. I don't trust anyone else with my babies but me. So, yeah, there's that.. But, I am going to do online classes, so I can still be at home.. Easy peasy, right? 

But what about this blog? The thing that I love, the thing that is my passion, the thing that now pays the bills and keeps us going, and allows us to go and do things that we otherwise wouldn't be able to? Can I go to school, take care of the boys,and keep up this blog? 

What about my house? Can I keep it (relatively) clean, cook dinner, go to the grocery, run errands? Oh yeah, and then there's that other thing... 

We're homeschooling now. Remember? I've been looking forward to the chance to home school my boys for years now. And now ,it's finally time. I am not willing to give that up for me to go back to school. So, it looks like I am going to have to juggle. A lot. 


Can I do it? Is it even possible? I think I can do it, but I always think I can do everything..That's my fault, I guess, the impossible perception that I can really conquer the world if I try hard enough, make enough to do lists, and skip out on enough sleep.. But is that logical?
Are there any moms out there who have been down this path? Anybody braved these waters before me? I know someone has to have done this before.. So, I need you... Tell me what to do.. I am hoping I can just buy a big enough planner, schedule my days out in advance, figure everything out as I go, use the crockpot more LOL, and fit everything into my life. There has to be a way, right? 

This is something that I've put off long enough, something that I want so bad I can taste it, and I can't let it go now. So, I am just going to have to juggle... If you have any juggling tips for me, leave them below, because I need all the help I can get! 

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Wyler's Light = Perfect For Summer!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Jel Sert for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

As most of you know, I have been trying to drop the pop and stick to water lately. I have about twenty pounds that I would like to lose (well more than that really, but you know.... ) But, it has been really hard for me. I get bored with water, and I need some flavor in my life! So, when I heard about new Wyler's Light drink mix, I thought I should give it a try! 

 

I was initially drawn to the new Wyler's Light drink mixes because they are sugar free and low calorie, but I was worried about how they would taste. Lucky for me, they are delicious! I seriously don't mind drinking water now, which is a HUGE step for me! The sticks are small, easy for me to stick in my purse or glove box so I can have them with me on the go, which is great. I like that I don't have to worry about whether or not I will be tempted to buy a soda, since I can always carry the Wyler's Light drink mix sticks on me. There are no excuses anymore! 

Another great thing about Wyler's Light is that the drink mixes come in a ton of flavors, so I don't have to worry about getting bored! 

 

There is:

Lemonade

Pink Lemonade

Raspberry Lemonade

Strawberry Lemonade

Strawberry

Cool Raspberry

Cherry Limeade

Grape

Cherry 

Fruit Punch

SunSplash Orange

Iced Tea With Lemon

Iced Tea With Peach 

Iced Tea With Raspberry

Half Iced Tea Half Lemonade

And.... 

A Brand New Flavor, and my very favorite, Cherry Berry! 

 

So really, there is something for everyone, no matter what your tastes are! 

If you woudl like more information, or want to stay caught up with all the latest yummy news and promotions, make sure to follow  Wyler’s Light on Facebook!! 

Visit Sponsor's Site

Big News For Kentucky Coaster Fans: KENTUCKY KINGDOM REOPENING MAY 2014!!!!!

Louisville, Kentucky, June 27, 2013 – Ed Hart, President of Kentucky Kingdom, LLLP, along with his partners Ed Glasscock, Bruce Lunsford, and the Al J. Schneider Company, today announced the biggest expansion in Kentucky Kingdom’s 25-year history.  The announcement was made just an hour after representatives of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Metro Louisville, the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Kentucky State Fair Board, and The Bank of Kentucky signed the agreements required for the official reopening of Kentucky Kingdom.

Standing just inside the front entrance to the theme park, Mr. Hart remarked, “The highlights of the new Kentucky Kingdom will be the addition of the first new rollercoaster in 17 years and a large expansion of the Hurricane Bay water park.  We are doubling the size of the water park, adding three new waterslide complexes, a 12-000-square-foot wave lagoon, and an adventure river, which is six times faster than the existing lazy river.  All in all, we will have one of the largest water parks in the region.”

“We will also reopen such signature rides as the Thunder Run wooden coaster, the Mile High Falls giant spill ride, the 150-foot-tall Giant Wheel, the rapid river raft ride, and the Thrill Park Theatre, as well as all of the park’s remaining rides and attractions.”

Added Hart, “We’re not stopping there.  In 2015, we will unveil a complete makeover of our suspended looping coaster, T2, and we are well on our way to converting the two intertwined wooden coasters known as Twisted Twins into a much superior ride, which will debut in 2016.  We will continue to introduce new attractions each season.  In fact, per our lease with the state, we have an obligation to invest as much as $2.5 million each year for as many as 70 years.  That would equal an investment of more than $200 million, including our initial outlay of $43.5 million.”

Hart thanked the Governor, the Mayor, the Metro Council, Jim King, other state and local officials, and particularly Dr. Mark Lynn, Chairman of the Fair Board, for recognizing the importance of Kentucky Kingdom to the state and the local community.”

Mr. Lynn commented, “Ed Hart and his partners, all respected local businesspersons, are the right people at the right time to restore Kentucky Kingdom to its previous success.  A full-scale renovation of the park’s more than 100 buildings and 40 rides is already underway.”

Answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the new Kentucky Kingdom are attached.  As for answers to any questions that might not be covered on that list, Hart said, “We’d like to tell you about everything we’re going to do over the next ten months, so we encourage you to follow our progress at www.kentuckykingdom.com, where frequent updates will be posted.”

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Have You Ever Heard Of Zaycon Foods? #USFG #ZayconFoods



How does Zaycon Foods manage to provide such high quality super fresh meat and produce to its customers at such low prices? The answer is strength in numbers. And not our numbers, yours!


Zaycon Foods can sell its products at bulk rate prices to individual consumers and families because our unique sales event business model brings lots of people together, adding all their purchasing power into a combined bulk food purchase. And when you buy as part of a group that’s committing to such a large purchase, the power is in the hands of the purchaser! It’s the ultimate group buy in terms of both price and consumer empowerment.


You can pre-select exactly what you want to order from a given Zaycon sales event – sometimes you may want to stock up on our amazing meaty back ribs and sometimes it might be all about the Zaycon bacon – and then, on the day of the sales event, you and a whole big bunch of your neighbors will find yourselves in a nearby parking lot watching as an entire tractor trailer’s worth of high quality natural food is unloaded into all of your cars! You will be amazed at how quickly one of our refrigerated trucks goes from being filled with natural, fresh chicken or hundreds of gallons of grade A non-homogenized milk to being empty and back on its way to the farm!



A Zaycon Foods truck sales event often lasts less time than you would spend on a trip to the grocery store, yet you will leave with a whole lot more food than you’d get at the market, and for much better prices, too!

When you use the Zaycon Foods sales event as your preferred place to purchase meats, milk, and any of our other fine products, you get advantages even beyond the bulk pricing that comes with our special sales model. You also have the peace of mind of knowing exactly what you’re going to get! A trip to the grocery store can involve wasted time wandering around looking for various foods spread out across the store; at a Zaycon Foods parking lot meat truck delivery (or milk or berries or fish delivery, too!) you have pre-ordered your foods, so all you have to do is show up and wait for our friendly staffers and volunteers to load up your car. 


Also, unlike in the grocery store, the prices you will pay for a Zaycon Foods product are locked in on our website, so you will know how much you are going to spend before you have committed to a purchase. 


At a supermarket, you might pay one price for chicken on one day, and then a higher price on another day. With Zaycon, you decide that you want to order a case of our fresh boneless skinless chicken breasts, you check the price and then you commit to it, knowing that from that moment on, we are committed to getting you your fresh, natural food!


I wish I could post this YouTube video for you, but I can't get it to embed, so click here to see more: 
To Get Started Click on this link https://www.zayconfoods.com/refer/zf237274!!! 

I will receive a promotional item in exchange for this post. All opinions and thoughts are my own. 

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

We're Gearing Up For Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey DRAGONS!!

Okay, some of you might remember our circus review from last year. It was literally, without a question, my baby Bean's favorite experience of his life so far. I have really never seen him as excited or as genuinely happy as he was last year when we went to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's Fully Charged at Rupp Arena. So, when we heard that RBBB was back at it again in our hometown, this time with their "Dragons" show, I knew we were going to try our best to go! 



This year's show sounds spectacular! It is celebrating the Year of The Dragon, so it's something that happens only once in a millennium! Just reading the description of the show makes me feel excited, I can't wait to see it in real life! If you are in the Central Kentucky area and are interested in attending this super spectacular circus event, get ready, because tickets go on sale July 19th! The best part? They start at only $15, so the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey presents Dragons show is something that the whole family can enjoy together! For tickets, just go through Ticketmaster or the Rupp Arena Box Office. You can also call 1-800-745-3000 to order by phone.

Wanna hear all the details? 


Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents DRAGONS is a once in a millennium event that honors The Year of the Dragon.  Circus performers from the farthest reaches of the earth have assembled for Ringling Bros. Presents DRAGONS to showcase their astounding acts of bravery and astonishing athleticism. Ringling Bros.® Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson presides over this fantastical celebratory tournament of circus champions that brings together mystic dragon lore with authentic circus feats. DRAGONS is a never-before-seen blend of renowned spiritual and real life legends and is coming to Rupp Arena, September 6 - 8, 2013. Tickets go on sale July 19.

The anticipation builds throughout Ringling Bros. Presents DRAGONS as Children Of All Ages bear witness to one phenomenal Ringling Bros. circus act after another, from Shaolin Kung Fu Warriors, charging Cossack riders, magnificent Asian elephants, fierce tigers to the frenzied Globe of Steel. As the audience observes these and even more real world displays that pay tribute to the dragon, their continued excitement will bring glimpses of the elusive beast. But, the big question remains; what will it take to lure a true dragon from its golden lair? 

Ringling Bros. Presents DRAGONS opens an hour before with the interactive All Access Pre-show, FREE admission with your ticket. Families can participate in interactive experiences such as learning juggling and balancing skills, get performer autographs, see one of Ringling Bros. majestic Asian elephant’s paint a one-of-a-kind masterpiece and meet the Ringling Bros. Clowns, whose side-splitting spoofs, absurd antics and comical parody are guaranteed to keep audiences roaring with laughter!


Doesn't it sound exciting!?!?!? You know you wanna go! I highly recommend that you check out the All Access Pre Show before the event, it's free, and we had SO much fun last year! If you need more info, or just want to see more amazing pics of what is to come, visit Ringling.com or join them on Facebook

Five Frugal Dog Tips Every Pet Owner Should Know!

This post is in partnership with the Dog Bark Collar Store, a great place for all of your bark collar needs! 



Taking care of a pet can be hard work, not to mention hard on the wallet. However, we all want the best for our pets, so read on for some tips to keep taking care of your pet from breaking the bank! 

Spend Time, Not Money. 
We've all heard the saying, the best things in life are free, and for your pet, nothing could be more true! Do you think your dog really wants those $20 dog treats from the organic dog bakery? The $200 dog house? The $75 spa treatment at the groomer? I don't think so! What our pets want most from us is our time and love! Take your dog for a walk, a run in the dog park, or just a good old fashioned belly rub on the couch. Just like with humans, you can't buy your dog's love! 

Make Your Own Pet Treats
This is something that not many people think of doing, but can save you a ton of money over the course of a lifetime. Instead of buying those expensive pet treats at the grocery, make your own at home! You can control what goes into homemade pet treats, and you can customize them to fit your dog's tastes. You can make a basic dog biscuit with ingredients already in your pantry like flour, water, egg, chicken broth, etc. So easy and a fun family project to do together too! 

Preventative Care
Just like with humans, it's much cheaper to prevent an illness or injury than it is to treat one! Make sure your dog gets flea and tick treatments, heartworm treatments, stays up to date on all shots, etc. in order to ward off any illnesses or injuries. Clean your pet's ears, trim nails, give baths, groom, etc. all in the comfort of your own home to avoid high groomer fees as well. 

Make Your Own Toys
Buying dog toys is another very expensive cost associated with owning a pet. However, you can recycle old household items to make some great toys for your pet! In the summertime, freezing a huge block of ice with some pieces of fruit inside are a great way to let your pet have fun. Let your dog splash around in an old kiddie pool! Use old socks with a knot tied in them to make a fun and cheap toy! And, of course, don't forget the old classic standby- a good old stick! 

Don't Pay For Kennels
Another great way to avoid costs associated with taking care of a dog are to avoid pricey kennels or "doggie daycares" if possible. If you are traveling, take your pet along if possible, or hire a friend or family member to pet sit for you. Kennels can be a great choice, but they can also be expensive! Avoiding them is a great way to save on pet costs. 

Do you have any additional tips for saving money when you have a pet? I'd love to hear them! Leave them in the comments section below! 

I received a promotional product for writing this post. However, all opinions are my own, and are never influenced by outside means. 

Our Trip To Newport Aquarium (Review)






One of our favorite things to do, no matter where we are, is go to the Aquarium. We are also suckers for a good zoo, too, but that's a story for another post! When we visited Newport, Cincinnati and Mason a few weeks ago, we were lucky enough to get a chance to check out the Newport Aquarium



      There  was so much to do and see at the Newport Aquarium! You could easily spend a whole day here and not get bored! There were so many things to see and do! We especially loved the alligators, that is always everyone's favorite part in our family! We also had fun looking  at frogs, toads, penguins, sharks, shark rays, sting rays, sharks, and SO much more cool stuff! My boys were in awe the entire time, and were absolutely thrilled at everything we saw! The staff at the aquarium was absolutely so friendly, and helpful! Any questions that my boys had, (and believe me, Tater comes standard with LOTS of questions!), they answered quickly, easily, and kindly! Major props to the staff!! 


 I really liked that they had an interactive play space for young kids, to get their energy out and run around a bit. My big guy really enjoyed this part, but my tiny man (as usual) was too scared to go inside, so he just hung out at the door ! :) 

For me, I am incredibly partial to sharks and the awesome shark rays that they have at the Newport Aquarium quickly became my favorites! My boys both loved the giant crabs and thought they were especially cool! Make sure to check out the shark rays, Newport Aquarium has the largest collection of Shark Rays in the entire world! 







    The jellyfish exhibit was especially beautiful! I could really just stand there all day and look at them! Oh, and they also have a great penguin exhibit and show there, so make sure that you check that out while you are there! And, there is even a restaurant inside so you can get a little snack if you get hungry (and, you WILL get hungry!) 
                                                                            
We had an amazing day at the Newport Aquarium, and there is SO much to do nearby (the aquarium is located at Newport On The Levee, which has enough fun stuff to keep you busy for days!), you can easily spend morning to night all in one place! I love the convenience of this place, even parking was easy, and quick exit right off the interstate for me! LOVE that! (Ignore my Tater's pitiful face in the picture below, he was SO sad that we had to leave!) 

We had so much fun at the Newport Aquarium, we are definitely going to make this a regular trip with our boys! We will be back soon! 

2013 General Admission 
Newport Aquarium Adult Admission (Ages 13+) $23
Newport Aquarium Child Admission (Ages 2 - 12) $15
Children under the age of 2  FREE


The hours for the aquarium vary, but usually are from around 9-10am to around 6-7pm. You can check out this link http://www.newportaquarium.com/What-to-do-in-cincinnati/Aquarium-Hours.aspx to check out the hours for the day you would like to visit and plan your day! Are you a planner like me and want to plan your visit out even more? Visit http://www.newportaquarium.com/Things-to-do/Aquarium-Map.aspx for an interactive map to help you decide what to do first! 

we received complimentary tickets in exchange for our honest review, all opinions are 100% my own. 

Monday, June 24, 2013

Xbox One Versus Playstation 4: Which One Is Right For You?

 or
Which one of these are you going to be choosing? The PS4 or the Xbox One?
We are debating in our house which one is going to be the chosen one, so I'd like to hear what you guys think!

Book Review: Slave Graves By Thomas Hollyday

Okay guys, today I bring you all a book review that I read awhile ago, and somehow slipped through the cracks. (Not hard to do with a brain like mine LOL!) For some reason, I thought I already posted this review, but apparently I am just crazy. (This is not news!) Anyways, I wanted to make sure that I reviewed this book for all of you, because I don't want you to miss out on a great read! 

Allrighty, let's set the scene for you and give you an idea of where this book is headed: 

Synopsis: 

Dr. Frank Light, archaeologist, is vastly annoyed. He''s settled into a plush life -cushy department-head job at a university, suave girlfriend, book in the works. Now he''s been ordered into the sludgy, back-water marshes of Maryland to fend off hordes of mosquitoes, all because of an inconsequential find at a bridge construction site. Maggie, the outspoken state archaeologist working the dig, insists the shipwreck has historical significance. Pastor Allingham is even more vehement, insisting the decaying timbers hide a rumored, long-lost slave graveyard. Real estate tycoon Jake Terment is furious that his construction project is held up by the growing concerns of Frank and his team. Jake cranks up the pressure for a quick resolution. Others passionately feel the archaeology project should either come to a crashing halt or press full speed ahead. An eclectic group of butterfly fanatics, a mysterious waterman of Mexican heritage, a curvaceous movie star, and even ghosts make their presence known. When several attempts are made on the team''s life, Frank draws on lessons from his Vietnam vet past. He has to decide on which side of this battle to stake his claim - and if he is ready to risk his life again for his beliefs.

My Review: 
Slave GravesI had already made up my mind before I even opened the book that it was going to be a good one. Thomas Hollyday is a great writer, I have read his books before, so I had high expectations. I was not disappointed this time around, either! Thomas Hollyday really knows how to set the scene and make you feel like you are really there, in the story. I have a hard time really "getting into" a story if I can't really vividly imagine the scene, and that is not a problem for me with books like this. I also like books that give you a sense of a relationship with the characters, and this book does that for me as well. When I feel a connection or a draw to a fictional character, that is when I know good writing! I love to feel drawn into a story, and that is what I was able to do with this one. I really feel like I got to know Dr. Frank Light, and the story is unique, different, and engaging. I was also really happy that there were a plethora of characters to get to know, instead of just a "good guy" and a "bad guy". I can't give much more away about the ending, but it is definitely a surprise! Bravo, once again, Mr. Hollyday!! 

About the Author: 
Thomas Hollyday (1942-present) was born in Easton, Maryland. His father was an acclaimed photographer and his mother a brilliant teacher. His father's family were active in the history of Maryland since its settlement while his mother's family were prominent in Democratic Party politics. He studied writing with Elliott Coleman at the prestigious Johns Hopkins Writing Seminars and with C.Michael Curtis of the Atlantic Monthly. He served with distinction in Vietnam and became a successful international businessman. He also drew illustrations for national magazines and published maritime and Civil War history. He currently edits the Wet Their Whistles newsletter for animal water rights (solarsippers.com). He draws the popular humorous Animal Viewpoint Cartoons for newspapers. He continues to please his fans with new novels in his River Sunday Romance Mysteries collection.

Want to read it for yourself? Buy Slave Graves by Thomas Hollyday for only $11.66 right now on Amazon! 

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Headed To Kings Island? I've Got Your Hotel! #BestWestern Mason Inn!

When we planned our recent trip to Kings Island, I knew there was no way I was going to feel like driving 2+ hours back home after a day of fun in the sun and thrills! I knew we were going to have to find a hotel to stay in, but I wasn't sure which one to choose! We picked the Best Western Mason Inn for our one night stay and I am so glad we did! It was absolutely perfect for us! The Best Western Mason Inn is only about ten minutes away from Kings Island, and right off of the interstate, with super easy access! 

Right at closing time at Kings Island, another storm came through, this time a pretty big one. We were already on our way to the car, but it was parked all the way at the back of the parking lot! By the time we got to the car, we were drenched, I mean, completely and totally soaked! We must have looked like little wet rag dolls pulling into the Best Western Mason Inn!! The staff was so sweet and helpful and took care of everything for us right away! Our whole check in process took less than ten minutes! 


I was so disappointed that my camera batteries died at Kings Island, I didn't get many great pictures there, and I didn't get to take any at our hotel! But, we're already talking about heading back up next month to visit again, and I am going to make sure to get some great pics then! For now, I will share some photos from the Best Western Mason Inn website with you! One thing I have to say, this is one hotel whose stock photos look EXACTLY like the hotel! No surprises here, what you see is what you get, and that is a good thing! 

First of all, be aware if you stay that this IS a smoking hotel. It has been so long since I was in a smoking hotel, I was really taken aback at first! Our room was in the non smoking section, and it was fine, no huge odors or smoke smells. We got a King Suite for our stay, and it was absolutely perfect! For our family, a suite is just the way to go! The boys prefer to sleep on a sofa bed rather than a big tall hotel anyway (does anyone remember Bean falling out of the hotel bed SIX times on our trip to Gatlinburg???), and the real bonus for us is TWO TV's. Nobody can agree on what to watch, so the boys get a TV, dad gets a TV, and I get a book, if I'm lucky! 



Our room was absolutely perfect! Two big TV's, sofa bed big enough for both boys, desk for working (if one had time to work!!!), coffee table, big chair and ottoman in the bedroom, and wonderfully comfy king size bed with an amazing mattress! Bathroom was perfect, not very big, but come on, it's a bathroom! Plenty of room to shower and do your business, and that's all you need! I wish we had stayed a little longer so I had more to share with you, but we crashed right into bed as soon as we arrived. The bed was wonderful, the best night's sleep I've had in months (we have mattress o' crap here at home, remember?)!! 

We woke up early the next morning to check out the breakfast room downstairs. Have I mentioned that I LOVE hotels with FREE breakfast!? My kids never eat more than a piece of toast or a donut, and I really hate having to take them out, pay for an entire meal, and then throw it away. Hotels with FREE breakfast rock!! The Best Western Mason Inn has a huge breakfast room, with a little business center off to the side. There are plenty of tables in the breakfast room, so you don't feel crammed (usually my issue with hotel breakfasts!). There were a ton of choices for breakfast, donuts, eggs, toast, cereal, fruit, even an "make your own waffle" station, which was delicious! 


After breakfast, we checked out the pool area. My boys love, love, LOVE to swim, so a hotel with a pool is a must! We loved the pool at the Best Western Mason Inn, and I loved that the pool area has a little patio area off to the side of it that is fenced in. Very cool! After a quick swim, it was time for us to hit the road and take off. However, I want to say that Best Western Mason Inn is in a great location! There's a Chik-Fil-A across the parking lot, as well as a Waffle House, Applebees and Burger King, all within walking distance. Plus, tons of great shopping within walking distance as well! And, within less than 30 seconds, we were back on the interstate and headed back home. You can't beat that for convenience!


If you are heading to Kings Island and looking for a great place to stay like us, you NEED to check out Best Western Mason Inn! Great hotel, clean EVERYTHING, comfy mattress, yummy breakfast, friendly staff, convienient location, and best of all, great rates!!! What's not to love about that!? If you want to check out the hotel for yourself, or book a room, head on over to their website!  Oh, and don't forget to check out Best Western's online only Summer Special! You can get 20% off by booking online and choosing the "internet only" rate! Can't beat that! Thanks again, Best Western, for making our stay a great one! We'll be back! 

We were provided with a Best Western Travel Card to facilitate our stay, however, all thoughts and opinions are our own, and are never influenced by outside means. 

Thanks For The Memories, #Kings Island!




Last week, we headed up to Ohio for a two day mini-vacation to Kings Island. I have to admit, the day before our trip, I was freaking out. The weather forecast had changed from a sunny, beautiful day to a 70 percent chance of showers and strong storms. I was SO upset, and afraid that our entire day would be ruined! When we got up at 6am to head out, the rain was pouring down,and continued to pour the whole two hours as we made our way up to Mason, Ohio. I was actually quite nervous. My hubby is a roller coaster aficionado  but me, I get sick on the teacup ride at the fair. ( I am NOT EVEN joking.) I was afraid that Tater, who just turned 7, would be too small to ride anything "Fun", and that Beanie wouldn't be able to ride anything at all! However, our time at Kings Island turned out to be one of the best days we have EVER spent as a family! 



 In case you don't know, Kings Island is the largest amusement park and water park in the Midwest. It's home to The Beast, which in case you don't know, is the longest wooden roller coaster in the world. There's Diamondback, which is over 5200 feet long and takes you through ten acres, at speeds of up to 80 mph! And we're just getting started! There's Flight Of Fear, which takes you from zero to 54 mph in just four seconds in complete darkness, Firehawk, which makes you literally feel like you are flying, Delirium, which I can't even talk about (toooo scary for me!), The Racer, which is a super iconic roller coaster, Drop Tower, the tallest gyro drop in the world, and I'm not even close to done yet! 



What's that over there in that pile of dirt, you ask? Well, noboddddyyy knowsssss (say it in a spooky voice!) That spot is where the (also iconic) Son Of Beast once stood. It has now been removed, and Kings Island is working on something super special for 2014 to go in it's place.. They are staying incredibly mum on what is going on, but they are teasing fans with pictures and hints on a daily basis. Can't wait to see what's going on there!!! 

 I know I sound redundant, but I just can't say it enough, my family had an amazing time at Kings Island. The weather cleared up within a few minutes of us getting there, and it was a wonderful day! Tater, incredibly, measured in at 48 inches, which means he could ride all but SIX rides at the park! How nuts is that? My baby is not a baby anymore! And Beanie? Imagine my shock when he measured up for the 36 inch wristband! I never in a million years thought he was that big! This made for an amazing day! We stayed in Planet Snoopy for the entire day, only venturing out for a few turns on my favorite ride, White Water Canyon, and of course, our ride on the train and hanging out at Soak City! 

Here's my baby (big baby) riding the Great Pumpkin Coaster, his very first ride EVER! 
 






After this ride was over, all I have to say is IT WAS ON! That boy did NOT stop all day long! He is just like his daddy, he wasn't scared of the roller coasters at all, the bigger the better! He is even begging me to ride The Beast when we head back up to KI next time! I have to say, I can see why Planet Snoopy has been voted the World's Best Kids Area for the last TWELVE years in a row! I even rode rides in there that were "thrill rides" for me! Race For Your Life, Charlie Brown, is probably my favorite ride of all time! 

Flying Ace Aerial Chase and Woodstock Express (The Beastie, for you old folks!), are probably two of my favorite rides as well! I know that sounds silly, but I just can't handle those big rides! I almost lost my lunch on Surf Dog! 
Look at that, that is a KIDS coaster people!! LOL! I am such a baby! Tater had a wonderful time, I don't think he's ever had that many thrills in his whole entire life!!

As for Beanie, my sweet baby had a great time on a TON of rides! I didn't think he would be able to ride anything, but I was pleasantly surprised! I have never seen him smile so big! 







I really can not say enough good things about Kings Island. My hubby and brother in law went and rode all the "big kid" rides, and they had a great time! The weather turned out to be wonderful! We waited out two storms that passed through, each one lasting around ten minutes each,and once they were gone, the park was completely empty again, so we had it almost to ourselves! 
 I knew that we would have fun at Kings Island, but I really had no idea that we would have SO much fun. We are even talking about buying season passes for next year, so we can try to go up at least once a month or so. 

If you've never been to Kings Island, you need to go! If you haven't been in awhile, a lot has changed, and is changing all the time, so head back! If you are there all the time, you know what I'm talking about! 
Kings Island has so many great rides, but it's so much more than that! There are shows, and of course, Soak City, where you can catch some rays and chill out by the pool, and the food , OH! the food! There's nothing like it anywhere! Make sure you get a blue ice cream while you're there, because it's the only place you can get one! There's also Dinosaurs Alive, which your kids will LOVE if they are anything like mine! 

This place is top notch, guys, I'm telling you! Every single person I encountered, employee, ticket taker, ride operator, food worker, was happy, helpful, kind and friendly. There was so much to do, we arrived 30 minutes before opening, and stayed til the fireworks show at night, and we still didn't get to do everything! I could have went back the next day too! If you are heading up to Kings Island, make sure to check out their website at https://www.visitkingsisland.com/, before you go. There are great deals on there for tickets, food, drinks, parking and more, so make sure to plan your trip out well in advance! 

Keep checking back on the blog for more Kings Island updates, because we are going back again real soon, and we're going to make a "cheat sheet", to make sure that everyone can get the most out of their visit! Until then, head on over to Kings Island's website, and enjoy the thrills! My family sure did! Thanks again Kings Island, for making one of the best memories ever for my little family! 


LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails