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Win 4 tickets to Monster Jam in Atlanta

I was like some of you too regarding my opinion of Monster Jam. I don’t like racing. I don’t have a truck. A crowded, noisy environment is no place that’s going to be family friendly is what I thought. I was wrong. Our first Monster Jam visit was a couple years ago; we’ve been back every year since then and it genuinely marks one of the things we look forward to each season it comes around.

We’re giving away a family 4-pack of tickets to Monster Jam in Atlanta at Mercedez-Benz Stadium on February 25, 2018. This is a fast giveaway, we are picking the winner 11:59 PM on February 11, so enter quickly. Entering is simple, just leave a comment on the video and we’ll pick one winner who will get the four tickets.

Monster Jam really is incredibly family friendly. Hint: go early so that you can walk the field area. Everyone will be fascinated by the size, scope and detail that go into these vehicles. Kids can sit inside the wheels of the monster trucks, touch the wheels and more. Some of the drivers will also be down there to sign autographs, take photos and meet the fans.

Another bonus of Monster Jam is that it’s amazingly affordable. For example, when Monster Jam is in Atlanta tickets are as low as $32. Ticket prices vary according to where you live, but regardless of where that is, this can be six hours worth of entertainment that do not disappoint.

Win a family 4-pack of tickets to a sneak of Peter Rabbit in Atlanta

One of the most anticipated family films of the year is Peter Rabbit. The books from Beatrix Potter are timeless classics about the playful; some might even say rebellious rabbit who just wants to get into the farmer’s garden. Peter Rabbit has the voices of Margot Robbie, Daisy Ridley, Rose Byrne, Sam Neil and James Corden as the main rabbit himself.

We’ll review the film in full once we’ve seen it. The trailer looks like the kind of stuff that elementary kids will go ape over. It has lots of animals goofing around and a cartoonish villain. I’m interested to see it for Domhall Gleeson also. He plays a young Mr. McGregor in this film and he absolutely stole every scene in the last film he was in, The Last Jedi. In Peter Rabbit you’ve got General Hux and Rey, reuniting, all be it in rabbit and human form.

The sneak preview for this showing of Peter Rabbit happens February 3 at 10:00AM in Atlanta. We’re giving away two 4-packs of tickets so that you can bring all of the kids, or invite a young friend or two. To enter just leave a comment below and you’re in it to win it.

Paddington 2 is in theaters January 12

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are our own. It could be the stylish jacket, the lovely fedora, those big brown eyes or that perma-grin that he always has, but people love Paddington. When it was released in 2014 it became one of the most successful family films of all time. Paddington 2 is the much-anticipated sequel where Paddington (Ben Whishaw) is happily settled with the Brown family in London, where he has become a popular member of the local community, spreading joy and marmalade wherever he goes.

Things get interesting for our bear when he tries to find the perfect present for his beloved Aunt Lucy’s hundredth birthday, Paddington sees a unique pop-up book in Mr. Gruber’s antique shop, and embarks upon a series of odd jobs to buy it. But when the book is stolen, it’s up to Paddington and the Browns to unmask the thief.

This is the kind of PG movie magic that’s guaranteed to entertain kids 7 and under, but will also earn laughs from those that are slightly older too. We’re taking a 6 and 8 year old to see the film later this week and I knew which parts of the trailer would make them laugh even before they saw it.

Truth be told I laughed at many parts of the trailer too and let out an “aww…” when I saw Paddington in the antique shop. I suspect that I’ll enjoy the film as much as the kids.

The first Paddington was made six times its investment and was thus enormously profitable. Paddington 2 looks to be cut from the same cloth, combining heart, lots of laughs and a bit of adventure. It’s the sort of family film that I suspect our kids will remember seeing-and then see it with their kids many years down the road.

Paddington 2 stars: Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey), Hugh Grant (Four Weddings and a Funeral), Sally Hawkins (Jayne Eyre), Brendan Gleeson (Into the Storm), Julie Walters (Mamma Mia) and Ben Whishaw (The Hollow Crown) as the voice of Paddington.

Santa’s Toy Factory: Play with toys, meet the Man at North Point Mall

Disclosure: I’ve partnered with Bloggin’ Mamas & North Point Mall to share these free family events with my readers, and am being compensated for this partnership. All opinions expressed are my own.
As a kid I was skeptical of going to see Santa. One reason I was anxious-and probably not behaving as well as I normally did was the fact that you had to wait in line. The giver of toys in a bright red suit combined with an unquantifiable period of time in line as you wait does not produce a happy child. Now parents can make appointments to see Santa Claus and this year he’s bring his toy factory with him. Through Sunday, December 24 at North Point Mall you can visit Santa’s Toy Factory and get a photo with the big guy in person.

Continue reading Santa’s Toy Factory: Play with toys, meet the Man at North Point Mall

Win a 4-pack of tickets to The Man Who Invented Christmas in Atlanta

We have been itching to see The Man Who Invented Christmas. It’s not that we’re super eager for Christmas films. The Man Who Invented Christmas is the story of Charles Dickens, author of A Christmas Carol. I don’t know anything about his personal life, other than the fact that he wrote that classic book that we all knew by heart and then was made into that film that starred Bill Murray. Only knowing that, I watched the trailer for The Man Who Invented Christmas and was chomping at the bit to see it.

The jury is still out as to whether or not our 8 year old would like it. Granted the film is only rated PG-and that is for thematic elements and mild language. It’s that he is not too familiar with the actual story of A Christmas Carol to enjoy the process, thoughts and situations that Charles Dickens went through while writing it.

After the sneak preview we’ll determine if our 8 year old would enjoy seeing it. This giveaway is for a 4-pack of tickets to see The Man Who Invented Christmas in Atlanta on Wednesday, November 15. To enter just leave a comment in the blog post and winners will be notified on Friday, November 10. That way they’ll have plenty of time to plan, get a sitter or tell the boss that they need to leave work early.

The Man Who Invented Christmas begins its movie theater run on Wednesday, November 22, 2017, just in time for Thanksgiving, Black Friday and beyond. To enter, just leave a comment in the post, easy, peasy.

The Battery Atlanta brings the Xfinity Movie Series this fall

Free films don’t stop when school begins. The Battery Atlanta is hosting the Xfinity Movie Series in Atlanta that will run for six straight Fridays beginning one October 6 and running through December 1. That’s six movies, all of which are free, plus there’s no charge for parking for four hours-and your family entertainment for Fridays are planned out through the first week in December.

Keep in mind the dates are subject to change due to the weather.

October 6 Despicable Me (PG, 2010)

October 13 Back to the Future (PG, 1985)

October 20 Jurassic Park (PG-13, 1993)

October 27 Frankenstein (NR, 1931) – starring Boris Karloff as “The Monster”

November 3 Transformers (PG-13, 2007)

December 1 How the Grinch Stole Christmas (PG, 2000) –live action film starring Jim Carrey

For us the gold nugget in that list is Back to the Future. That’s the original version, rated PG that I know our 8 year old will absolutely love. There’s only one turkey that stinks up the joint, but it’s a seasonal film that’ll bring in families and kids who want to get in that Christmas spirit.

Check The Battery Atlanta for more information or to see what else you can do there prior to or after the film.

Cirque du Soleil LUZIA in Atlanta, ticket giveaway

LUZIA by Cirque du Soleil is coming to Atlanta this fall. Guests can experience water inside the big top, jaw dropping acts and larger than life props in this unique production that’s unlike any other show you’ve seen. LUZIA opens September 14 at Atlantic Station and runs through November 19. Get ready transported to a surreal world of wonders.

For us the acts to be certain not-to-go-to-the bathroom during are Running Woman, Hoop Diving on Treadmills and Adagio. Adagio is three performers holding one acrobat who proceeds to do tricks on their hands. Sometimes the one acrobat is the rope and other times they’re the ‘ball’ that is thrown. As with all Cirque du Soleil shows LUZIA is comprised of 115 people from 25 countries.

Bonus: you can buy tickets with a special 20% code through September 7. This is 20% off for adult and child tickets at select shows at Atlantic Station.

Bonus II: We’re giving away a family four pack of tickets to the 8:00 PM show on October 5. The Grand Chapiteau opens at 7:30 PM with the front gates at 7:15 PM.

Family 4-pack of tickets to LUZIA from Cirque du Soleil at Atlantic Station on 10/5

JapanFest Atlanta 2017 needs to be on your go-to family events

It’s great to see the growth that JapanFest Atlanta has had over the past years. Our children have enjoyed the festival for the past three years and the older they get the more fun they have. This year will be the best yet for them because in the past year they’ve both discovered Pokémon. It’s because of that we’ve accepted that Anime Village, in addition to our previous year’s go-to fun spots will be frequented.

Continue reading JapanFest Atlanta 2017 needs to be on your go-to family events