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Sweet Pete’s Candy Shop Visit

Filed Under: Mommy, Travel February 26, 2020

A Visit to Sweet Pete’s Candy Shop

Candy stores bring to mind bright colors, Willy Wonka, happiness and sugar rushes. It’s one of those magical childhood places where you think that you are in paradise. Sweet Pete’s Candy Shop in Jacksonville, Florida is the perfect picture of all these things. They have done an amazing job of capturing the essence of childhood happiness. There are lots of picture-perfect places to capture snaps of your adventure including a Social Media Room.

About Sweet Pete’s

Sweet Pete’s was founded by Pete and Allison Behringer. It is the largest candy store in the southeast. Located in a historic 22,000 square foot mansion in the heart of downtown Jacksonville. You may have heard of Sweet Pete’s if you are familiar with CNBC’s show The Profit. That’s when they moved from their Springfield location to one with more foot traffic in downtown Jacksonville, Florida. It’s a really cool story of how they completely turned the business around so that it could thrive.

Original Sweet Petes — Image from First Coast News

Sweet Pete's Candy Shop — from Sweetpetescandy.com

Our Visit To Sweet Pete’s

My sister had taken the kids (separately) a couple years ago for their birthday but they hadn’t been back since. I thought it would be something fun to do especially since it was chilly and a little rainy out. There is something about candy shops that bring back the kid in you and make you feel happy.

We went early and parked a block over. The shop itself doesn’t have any direct parking. There were no meter charges because it was a Saturday which was nice. The building stands out in downtown and even from the outside, you can tell that it is going to be fun. I warned the kids ahead of time that while I would buy them some candy I was not purchasing any toys. Like all kids, they will find a reason they need another stuffed animal or toy car so I was attempting to set the expectation going in. I didn’t realize that Sweet Pete’s had as many toys as they now had.

Inside The Shop

Sweet Pete’s is three floors, the bottom has a small shop where you can get fudge and specialty items as well as a restaurant- 10/6 Grille. The second floor has candy and ice-cream parlor. The third floor has party rooms, a play area, toys, and a social media room.

Inside 10 Six Restaurant — The 10/6 Grille to the left when you walk into Sweet Pete’s

Going to the second floor in sweet pete's — Going up to the 2nd Floor of Sweet Pete’s

I love the staircase, it’s amazing. As you walk up to the second floor there is a decorated area where you can sit and take a picture.

There’s an area on the second floor with some old fashioned candy as well as a place where you can purchase bulk candy in small $5 boxes. There’s also outdoor seating areas that are pretty cool. It was chilly the day we were there so we didn’t sit out there. We’ll have to check it out next time that we go! There’s also an ice cream parlor on the second floor. Since we were going to be eating lunch at the 10/6 Grille we skipped that as well but next time.

On to the Toy Shop

The kids went wild over the toy shop. There was so much stuff up there. Toys and books. Even though we had talked about it several times, they still asked for a toy (who would’ve guessed??!) but I had to stick to my no, even though I did want to give in. There was an Eloise book which my daughter loved. She became a big Eloise fan after we visited The Plaza in New York City.

There was also an area where you could see candy being made.

Social Media Room at Sweet Pete’s

One of our favorite rooms was the Social Media room that had various photo areas set up. This is a MUST SEE area for any family or blogger who is visiting. You can get some adorable shots!

You can see a little more of the setup from the image below taken by my 6-year-old. There’s little square areas set up for the perfect photos.

Our visit was so much fun and also included a complimentary sample of their fantastic Salted Caramels. You can check out more of Sweet Pete’s and even order some of their delicious goodies (including those Salted Caramels) at Sweetpetescandyshop.com. It’s an amazing place to check out.

Want more Travel post?

Escaping Cold Winters with Warm Winter Getaway Destinations

Filed Under: Travel February 24, 2020

Warm Winter Getaway Destinations

Winter is nice, for a day or two but then you get into the cold dreary temperatures that bring sore throats and sniffles. I cannot even imagine for those people who have to shovel snow. Winter is often the perfect time to plan a getaway. Not only do warm winter getaway destinations allow you to get outside and move but it’s a proven fact that sunshine provides a health benefit to us. Sunshine increases your Vitamin D, decreases depression and decreases your risk of getting sick, just to name a few of the benefits sunshine provides.

Beaches Resorts in the Caribbean

Did you know that Beaches Resorts has Family Friendly Luxury Resorts in the Caribbean? There are things for kids of all ages to enjoy. I had typically thought of Beaches Resorts as only a couples vacation or honeymoon destination and didn’t realize all that they have to offer for families. One of the resorts I’m dreaming of getting away to is the Turks & Caicos. Here they have 5 villages to choose from. You can stay at a garden oasis in the Caribbean & Seaside Villages, experience old-world charm in the Italian Village, or enjoy Caribbean paradise in the French Village, or enjoy the laid-back charm and elegance of their Key West Village. As a bonus, you can choose one to stay at but visit any of the five which is pretty amazing.

Another cool thing about Beaches Resorts is that they are All-Inclusive. This includes: the water parks; water sports (including scuba diving); land sports (for example tennis and golf); entertainment; kids’ clubs (which featuring the Sesame Street characters); an Xbox Play Lounge; tween club; teen nightclub; and a miniature train ride. This also includes all of your dining. Sounds heavenly, doesn’t it?

♦ Warm Weather

♦ Family Friendly

♦ Lots of activities

♦ Relaxing environment

♦ Escaping the dreary cold

♦ All Inclusive

Sounds like my dream vacation to escape to a warm winter getaway, what about you?

Interested in a Beaches Resorts Vacation?

Check out this infographic for more Getaway Destinations

Which Resort Would You Choose? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

10/6 Grille in Sweet Petes

Filed Under: Mommy, Travel February 19, 2020

Brunch at 10/6 Grille in Sweet Petes

During our visit to Sweet Petes Candy Shop, we decided to get some food at the new 10/6 Grille. It has an Alice in Wonderland which is one of my favorite stories. My husband’s birthday is coming up soon and I was hoping that this would be somewhere we’d be able to take him for brunch that day because it was so different than your average restaurant.

The decoration inside the restaurant is done well and captures the essence of the Lewis Carrol classic. It’s whimsical and fun which also works perfectly with

Sweet Petes. The concept of the two businesses fit well together.

I thought the set up of the keys, clocks, hearts, and chairs on the ceiling was a nice touch to the Alice in Wonderland decor. The kids loved the look of the restaurant!

The Menu

Our Order

It was 11 am, and the kids aren’t big breakfast eaters so they decided to go with lunch. My daughter chose the cheeseburger and fries while my son chose the chicken tenders and fries. I wasn’t super hungry and had been wanting some beignets so when I noticed them on the menu I couldn’t help but get them.

The burger was good, my daughter wasn’t thrilled because it had cheddar cheese on it but she really loved the fries and ranch dressing. The chicken fingers (as well as the fries) were really good and were a hit with my son. The beignets looked fantastic and were cut into these adorable hearts covered with powdered sugar and included a fruit puree on the side. However, the taste was where things took a turn. It is very possible it was an off day or an off order but it tasted like the beignets were fried in the same oil as fish. I had excitedly tried one and was quickly done.

It was early when we went in so they weren’t super busy however it did seem to take a longer than average time to get our food. Then again, sometimes with well-done burgers, it does seem to take longer so that could have played a part. By the time the food came my 6-year-old was getting good and hangry and I was having to start threatening that I would pay for our drinks and we would go home.

Thoughts on the 10/6 Grill

It’s really cute inside and as I mentioned the chicken fingers were really good. There were a couple other menu items that I think would be worth trying there and am open to going back again one day. I think because it is Alice in Wonderland theme I had built it up in my mind a lot and was let down a little. The only thing I can say for sure is that I won’t try the beignets again.

Have you tried the 10/6 Grill? Have a favorite dish?

Love Alice in Wonderland? Check Out These Post!

Alice in Wonderland DIY Disney Table — Alice in Wonderland DIY Table

Alice in Wonderland Baby shower decor Cheshire Cat plush — Alice in Wonderland Themed Baby Shower

6 Must Have Beauty Products

Filed Under: Mommy February 17, 2020

Beauty Products Worth Buying

It can be frustrating and hard to find beauty products that work. It is helpful when you can find a person who has actually used the product and can give an opinion on it. As a mom, I tend to pick and choose when I spend on myself carefully so it’s also important to me that I don’t just buy stuff. That is why I decide to share some of my absolute favorite products. This isn’t a sponsored post, however, for convenience, there are some links (including a couple affiliate ones) in case you are interested in them, but they are products that I tend to always have on hand and have even used as gifts. These are my must have beauty products worth buying.

6 Must-Have Beauty Products

Heir Atelier Lip Primer

If you hate wearing lipstick because of the way it feels dry on your lips this product solves that! As you can see by the mini lipstick from Bobbi Brown I previously didn’t wear a whole lot of lipstick… that one came in a sample. It works great under lipstick or even alone to be completely honest. Heir Atelier Lip Primer helps to moisturize your lips and leave them feeling silky smooth.

Best Primer- Heir Atelier Face Primer

It is all about the base! I was in Sephora one time and overheard trainee ask an associate “what is a good kind of make-up for me to buy and wear?” The associate replied, “Honestly, it doesn’t matter which kind you buy, it’s all about the skin you are putting the makeup on and a using a high quality primer.” This primer gives your skin a smooth feel and makes sure your makeup goes on nice and evenly. The Heir Atelier Face Primer is one of the only primers I have used where I have noticed a difference on how my makeup looks with it vs without it.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BsspsTaAizs/?igshid=fd6si7bqescr

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation

Do you have an issue with makeup rubbing off on your shirt? If you have never had it happen to you count yourself lucky! I have bought high-end makeup and still had a problem with this until I tried Estee Lauder’s Double Wear Foundation. There is no rub off or transfer that happens…which is a big deal when you’ve had to deal with makeup stains on white shirts. It has a medium coverage (so you don’t look like you have a mask on). It does feel thick but on your skin, it does not feel cakey or weighed down.

Younique Moodstruck 4D Mascara

This mascara will make your eyelashes pop! I have a friend who sells Younique makeup (check her out on Facebook- Younique by Charity) which is why I tried it to begin with. Well, that and I’m always on the lookout for good mascara. This one is as close to it looks like I bought false lashes as I’ve ever come across. It’s definitely worth a try and as a bonus you’ll be happy to know that Younique supports fighting sexual abuse through their Younique Foundation and Defend Innocence.

Kendra Blow Dry Spray

This stuff is a lifesaver for those of us with thick hair. If there is one hair product that I would say is a MUST have, it’s this one. It cut my blow dry time in half and it doesn’t take as much effort to get it all dry using the Kendra Blow Dry Spray. It is light and smells so good! I’ve used this for a couple years now and was introduced to it by my hair dresser. She was amazed at the amount of time it saved to dry my hair as well.

Brazilian Blowout Acai Brazilian Dry Oil

Acai Brazilian Dry Oil is another product that is fantastic for women with thick hair. It helps to smooth hair and make it feel soft and touchable. My hair is naturally curly and course so just a pump to a pump ½ works great without making my hair look oily. For those with not so thick hair it could feel too heavy or if too much is used, make it feel oily. It’s one of those products where a little goes a long way for sure. A friend of mine who has much thinner hair than mine had purchased it but felt it left her hair feeling heavy which is how I got my first bottle of the dry oil.

Kopari Coconut Body Milk Lotion

This Coconut Lotion is like magic to dry skin. I follow The Chic Mamas on Instagram and she talks a lot about skin care. She has three young kids so I figured who better to ask about my son’s super dry skin? It was so bad he was scratching and leaving marks on his back so I asked her if there was something she’d recommend for really dry skin and she mentioned Kopari Coconut Body Milk. I bought some and within days I could see a big difference. My skin gets dry in the winter especially, causing my legs to itch and this lotion takes care of that. It has a light scent and isn’t greasy. My husband was working with some concrete so his hands were very dry and he used some of this and was amazed at how much it helped. He swears by it. He has tried using Aquaphor to help the dryness and it took a few days to help whereas with this there was a difference almost immediately. Which says a lot because we are big fans of Aquaphor too.

Have you tried any of these? Let me know your thoughts or favorite products!

Don’t forget to Pin the image below! 🙂

Valentine Gift Ideas

Filed Under: Holidays February 7, 2020

Valentines Day Gift Ideas

Valentines Day is a great day just to remind those close to you that you are thinking about them. I’ve compiled a list of Valentines Day gift ideas for the kids, friends, and teachers in your life. Plus, there’s only one selection that is candy so if you’re trying to avoid sweets for someone there are some good options here for you to check out!

Top 10 Gift for Valentines Day

Decorate Your Own Wooden Heart Kit

Chocolate always winds up getting thrown away at our house it seems. This mostly happens because the kids just forget about it. That’s why I like this gift idea so much. It’s an activity they can do and then use later as well.

This adorable chest gives the gift of DIY and a heart-shaped chest. Kids can make it their own and then use it for their treasure!

2. Piggy Paint

Piggy Paint is a non-toxic “natural as mud” polish for kids. I love it and use it for my daughter. Kids tend to put their fingers in their mouth and this is a nice balance of still getting to paint their nails without having to worry about chemicals in the paint. It comes in a variety of different colors and can also be found in Target!

3. LEGO BrickHeadz Valentine’s Bee

Legos are definitely a favorite thing to do at our house currently. This LEGO BrickHeadz Valentine Bee is cute and will satisfy the LEGO lover in your house. LEGOS are a great STEM toy and have been shown to help boost children’s STEM skills.

Speaking of LEGO, have you seen my post on the Legoland Florida Resort?

4. Don’t Laugh Valentines Challange

Getting kids to read is important, which is why I love this next idea. “The Don’t Laugh Challange Joke Book” Valentines Day edition is a great way to do that without it seeming like work or something that isn’t fun. This book one up’s that by making it a challenge, where you sit at eye level in front of your opponent and take turns reading the jokes to see who laughs first. On Amazon’s site, you can get a ‘sneak peek’ inside the book where you can check out some of the jokes inside.

5. Emoji Heart Bracelet

This emoji heart bracelet is only $9.99 at Amazon. It’s cute and sure to make the emoji lover in your life smile and think of you when they look at it.

6. Tacos are my Valentine T-Shirt

For the one in your life that loves tacos and funny t-shirts, this is for them!

7. Ferrero Rocher

If you want to give chocolate, it’s important to give good chocolate and these you can never go wrong with. Whether this gift is for a teacher, friend, or child (one that’s big enough to eat nuts of course) this is a yummy option!

8. One Smart Cookie

I love this gift idea, and it’s a cute gift to give a teacher as well. Have a Cricut? You could easily make this with some iron-on vinyl, a spatula and a pack of cookie mix. Not feeling crafty or don’t have the time? Check out this One Smart Cookie gift on Etsy!

9. Coffee Warmer

This is another cute option for a teacher or friend. The best part is, this warmer can be used for tea, cocoa, or even soup! Yes, soup! How brilliant is that??

10. Valentines Pillow

Who couldn’t use a pillow? This one is adorable with a bicycle and hearts. Amazon has a few different options but this was one of my favorites. You could even pair it with some chocolates or a book.

Do you have any Valentine gift ideas?

12 Fun Valentine Crafts To Do With Kids

Filed Under: Kids Crafts February 3, 2020

12 Fun Valentines Crafts To Do With Kids

Looking for fun Valentines crafts to do with your kids? Here are some of my favorite! They are easy and allow for creativity and learning fun in the process of making them. It is always fun when you can take concepts such as colors, patterns, sizes and make them useful to kids which helps them better understand the concept. I’ve talked before how important creativity and imagination are for kids and this ties into that as well.

Heart Bookmarks

These Heart Bookmarks from Easy Peasy Fun are adorable and functional! They could be left plain or decorated and personalized!

Fingerprint Tree

This Valentine Heart Fingerprint Tree is adorable for kids of all ages! It makes a great keepsake memory and is adorable! This is another one from Easy Peasy and Fun!

Valentine Heart Crafts

This valentine art is easy and you can easily incorporate counting, colors, and patterns into your Valentine craft fun!

Butterfly Valentine

These Butterfly Valentine crafts are so cute! They are easy and fun, plus I’m a sucker for anything with tiny handprints on it. Toddlers may come out a little messy (maybe that just happens with me lol!) but it’s still a fond memory that you’ll look back on.

Heart Wreath

This is another one of the crafts that can work for kids of all ages. It is also one that you can incorporate colors, sizes, patterns, and counting into.

Pattern Heart Garland

I love paper garland for various holidays! It can add a pop of color and isn’t hard to do. As the name suggest you can definitely discuss patterns and what kind of pattern the garland has as you put it together with our kids! This one is from Simple As That blog.

Heart-Shaped Dog Valentine Craft

This adorable craft is easy and fun! For smaller kids, you’ll have to cut out the shapes but still talk about where the ears, eyes, nose, tongue go on the dog. This is still a fun one for older kids too and they can get creative with the colors and designs of the dog!

“You Stole A Pizza My Heart”

Pizza + Valentines Day= YES! Simple and fun without a lot of mess!

Thumb Print Heart

There are so many options with this fun, easy craft! Colors, patterns, designs of the hearts- it’s another easy, fun way to get creative with kids of any age in making Valentine crafts.

Washi Tape Suncatcher

I love this! I remember painting suncatchers as a kid and this washi tape craft option gives a great effect and you don’t have to worry about paint!

Unicorn Valentine

Unicorns seem to be all the rage which makes this craft perfect. Plus, it is super easy which is a bonus. There are lots of ways to get creative with it using colors and maybe even some sparkles! You can check this one out over at Crafty Morning!

Paper Bag Puppet

This craft is perfect for you lovebug! Plus, it’s another one that is easy to do and something that little ones especially will have fun doing and can get creative without leaving a mess.

Do you have a favorite Valentine’s craft?

Review of Legoland Florida Themepark

Filed Under: Travel January 31, 2020

Legoland Florida Themepark

What is it exactly? Is it worth it? What ages is it for? There are many questions when you think about visiting a Florida theme park where the name isn’t Walt Disney World or Universal Studios…. which as a Florida resident I can say is totally understandable.

About Legoland Florida

Legoland Florida is located in Winter Haven, Florida (about 45 minutes from Disney). It sits on about 150 acres with a stunning view of Lake Eloise. There are over 58 million LEGO bricks inside! It’s designed for families with children ages 2-12. Legoland Florida Themepark opened in 2011 and then rebranded in 2015 with the opening of their hotel to Legoland Florida ResortLegoland Florida Resort. It was built on the site of the former theme park Cypress Gardens.

It’s important to go into this remembering this park is geared specifically to kids 2-12. If you can keep that in mind, it shouldn’t be a total let down. We are a Disney family… we love the magic and fun that Disney offers and how it takes you out of your reality. That being said, Legoland is very very different from Disney. If you are a Disney person or are expecting a Disney-like experience but with Legos, you will be disappointed.

We decided to try out Legoland Florida because it would be a little different from our Disney norm and the kids love Legos. It was my son’s birthday weekend and last year we did Disney expecting it to be slow after the Christmas crowd and they were still packed so we spent most of the time hanging out at the hotel. On to Legoland, we went!

The Good Part of Visiting Legoland Florida

Unlike Disney, there weren’t really any lines. At all. There wasn’t much of a crowd, the waits that did happen were because their system went down or there was an internal problem they were having. It could be that January is a slower time for them, I’m sure during summer it picks up some.

The theming at the park is remarkable. There was a lot of thought put into the theme and correlating it throughout the park. The “safari ride” is through a jungle of Lego animals, the bathrooms are all Lego-themed, decorations throughout the park all make you feel as though you’ve entered the world of Legos.

Throughout the park, you’ll see enormous LEGO sculptures of things such as dinosaurs, farm animals, mythical creatures and more keep you gawking at their feats of engineering. Sidenote, the LEGOs in the sculptures are held together with glue and then sprayed with a UV-coating to protect their color from the Florida sun. There are even some surprises as some of the sculptures have interactive features like the LEGO pigs, that oink when kids sit on them. They also bring in all your favorite Lego characters…from the Lego Friends in Heartlake City “land”, to Lego Kingdoms, Chima, and The Lego Ninjago World

Mini Land at Legoland is a fun spot where there are lego replications of some of the most famous places suck as models of iconic cities such as San Francisco, New York, Las Vegas, and Washington D.C. There are even models of each episode of Star Wars. There are also some larger, life-size Star Wars characters located here as well that are made out of legos. Walking through kids look like giants in these miniature cities and the details of each one are absolutely amazing!

Star Wars at Legoland Florida is pretty cool. There’s lifesize LEGO version of Star Wars characters as well as the Mini-Land scenes.

Rides in the park include Lost Kingdom Adventure with interactive target shooting with laser guns, the Aqua Zone Wave Racers, Royal Joust, Beetle Bounce, and the Coastersaurus, Dragon, and LEGO Technic coasters. There’s also a Ford Driving School where kids drive their own cars freely through simulated streets.

Another really cool part of the park is Cypress Gardens, which relates back to the old Cypress Gardens theme park that was originally located here. This area provides calm respite from energetic attractions and crowds. Here, you’ll experience the enveloping canopies of its signature banyan tree, planted 80 years ago. It is amazing and relaxing. Beware though, as signs will warn you; this is Florida meaning there’s always a possibility of alligators or other wildlife.

Lego Movie World is very colorful and reminiscent of the movie. It’s not as in-depth as the movie itself but kids who love the movie won’t really realize that. There’s enough there that will definitely make them happy.

Check out the full list of rides at Legoland Florida.

The Not So Good Part

The huge fail happened with their “Model Citizens” also known as the staff. Honestly, with the exception of one, they were all miserable and seemed as though they did not want to be there at all. I cannot tell you how many times at different rides I heard one of them make the comment “Welcome to Legoland where our system always goes down!” We had gone over to “Ford Driving School” and waited in line for twenty or so minutes (the line wasn’t that long, apparently it was problems they were having), we finally get up to go into the section where the kids watch a video before taking their “driving test” and the Model Citizen goes out to confirm the cars are ready and then comes in and says “We’re sorry but we’re having trouble and we don’t know when it’ll be fixed.” She sort of sounded like she was kidding so the kids stood there and the parents over to the side wondering if she was serious. Another staff member opened the door from outside and said something and the one that made the announcement says “I don’t know, they’re all just standing here looking at me” as if no one in the room could hear her. It was just really weird. It came down to microphone issues, and we wind up waiting another 15 minutes because now the line was really starting to build and we didn’t want to get out only for it to be fixed and have to wait in the line. After the Model Citizen said everyone was just looking at her, a parent asked: “so it’s really down?” She replied “yes,” and they asked, “do you know for how long?” Annoyed, she says “no, you can’t wait if you want but we aren’t sure.” Someone asked if we could get a “Hero Pass” (Fast Pass) since we’d waited already and she said no, they didn’t do that. We could wait or take our chances later.

This again was one example of many where the people that worked there were grouchy or seemed as though they just didn’t want to be there and had no loyalty to the park.

The other SUPER annoying thing (for me) was these stands all over the place where you can play a game (for $3-$10) to win a stuffed animal. The kids asked and asked and then asked some more to please play one of these games. We finally gave in but it was annoying because you pay $85 dollars for a one day ticket and then to do these things you have to pay additional money.

Before You Go

Look for deals and discounts! You can sometimes get a second park day free with a resort hotel stay so it’s worth searching a little for discounts. Also, there’s a discount if you buy online vs at the gate.

The park is opened daily with the exception of being closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays during specific times of the year.

Parking:

Standard Parking: $23
Preferred Parking: $33
Campers/RVs: $24
Motorcycles: $10

Park Hours vary, in general, they are open 10-6 most days the earliest they close is 5 during part of the year. You can check their park hours for specifics.

If it rains… you have some options:

Lost Kingdom Adventure
Merlin’s Challenge
DUPLO® Farm
Imagination Zone
LEGO® NINJAGO® The Ride
Tot Spots
Wells Fargo 4D Theater

Ride Restrictions

Overall Thoughts on Legoland

While there are some things I wasn’t crazy about, it was cute and the kids are still talking about it. Again, it is NOT Disney and you have to keep that in mind. I think that there is a lot of potential here and I do hope that they continue to improve. Good customer service can go a very long way!

If you’re thinking about going to Legoland, don’t forget to check out my review of the Legoland Florida ResortLegoland Florida Resort!

Staying at the Legoland Florida Resort

Filed Under: Travel January 27, 2020

A Review of Staying at Legoland Florida Resort

I’m a big fan of convenience. I love onsite hotels at theme parks such as Disney World where I can not worry about having to get into the car to get to the park. It honestly makes it so much easier when you have kids, especially younger ones. The Legoland Florida Resort is literally right next to the park and a very short walk to the front gate. There’s no bus, no car drive, which is incredible.

There is the Lego Beach Resort which looks like fun and very nice but it’s a little further from the park than the Legoland Florida Resort (just down the road), which means we’d be getting in the car to go and park or waiting on the bus. I figured the Resort was more geared towards kids and would be more involved for them. I’m glad that I chose it although the Beach Resort does look fun.

In my review of Legoland Florida theme park, I mentioned the amazing theming that is throughout the park. The hotel follows suit with that. The thought that was put into it is just amazing. The lobby has LEGOS where the kids can play while you are checking in. There’s an area just past that where they have resort activities as well as where the kids can sit and play while you’re waiting on dinner reservations or just looking for some LEGO fun during your day.

Check-in at the resort is 3pm, early check-in (additional cost) is at 1pm. This part was a little annoying, both being charged for it and it not being available until at the earliest 1pm. There’s also a late check out available, again at an additional cost. However, if you’re going to want a late check out it’s best to book it when you book your room otherwise it’s $50 per hour that you extend the checkout.

As the case with the theme park, the general service at the hotel is where it felt like they fell short. The front desk mentioned the Master Builders workshop as well as the miniature golf but it sounded as if both were at an extra cost. Come to find out, the Master Builder workshop is free and your child gets to keep whatever it is they build. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to do the workshop due to the miscommunication and they were full the next day when I checked.

The Lego Themed Rooms at the Legoland Hotel

There are a few options when selecting your room type at Legoland Florida Resort. They are all Lego Themed Rooms. There’s the Pirate, Adventure, Lego Movie, Kingdom and Lego Friends. We stayed in the Adventure room which is on the top (5th) floor.

All rooms include:

King bed in the adult sleeping area
Kids’ own sleeping area with a bunk bed, pull out trundle bed and entertainment unit
Welcome Treasure Hunt with LEGO prize (Not specifically themed. Lots of fun!!)
LEGO bricks to build with during your stay
2 high-definition flat panel TV’s with complimentary On-Demand content
Air conditioning
Mini-fridge and coffee maker
Vanity/work station
Wi-fi access. (*For us, the Wi-Fi access sucked)
Hairdryer
Complimentary toiletries
In-room safe
Bathtub

Parking is free (which while it may seem silly or little, I completely appreciate it. It annoys me to pay for parking at theme park hotels). Also, a buffet breakfast is included in your stay which is another nice perk.

Also inside the room are these cute “Monster Free” cards!

The Room

The room was fantastic. There is a kids’ area (which is small but still cool) where they have bunk beds and a little tv. The first day there is a treasure hunt with clues so that the lock on the chest can be removed. Inside is a gift and treat. The next night, the lego gift was just left on the bed. Again, I love how well thought out the theme was for the room. This place seriously has so much potential.

On the TV initially when you turn it on is “security video” where you see Lego Characters running down the hallway, being silly and sneaking around. It’s cute. The kids got a kick out of it and looked for Lego people in the halls. The Lego movies are available on loop at any time during your stay.

In case you saw some decor you liked, there’s a handy sign of charges posted as well in the room…lol

Free Breakfast with Your Stay

The breakfast is legit good. There is quite the selection of options that I was impressed with. Also, for Disney World fans, there is Stitch Juice!! Of course, it’s not called Stitch Juice, it is referred to as Passion Fruit, Orange, Guava juice (which is exactly what Stitch Juice is). It is really good too! I haven’t seen it anywhere else so I was pleasantly surprised to find it here. My favorite part was the yogurt, granola, and fruit (strawberries & blueberries). The kids favorite part was the packs of Nutella. There were lots to choose from though. Cereal, fruits, omelets, waffles, pancakes, etc.

POG Juice at Legoland Breakfast — POG Juice (AKA Stitch Juice at Disney World)

Birthday Celebration at Bricks

When I booked our stay, I purchased the birthday celebration at Bricks. I will admit I was nervous, I didn’t know what to expect at all. We checked in and they gave the birthday boy a pin and hat to wear. He was quite excited. The food at the restaurant was.. good. I was pleasantly surprised at how good. There was rotisserie chicken breast, beef, and fish options as meat. There was also spaghetti with meatballs, salads, chicken nuggets and more available as well as desserts. My son LOVED the spaghetti and my daughter loved the beef as well as the rotisserie chicken. They had the best Orange Ginger salad dressing that I’m pretty sure I could have eaten on anything. The only downside was the Coke FreeStyle fountain machine which I hate because it always tastes like you’ve mixed Sprite or another flavor into any drink you get. Once we were done with dinner they brought over the birthday cake and sang Happy Birthday. The cake was very good and tasted similar to Publix (a popular grocery store here), to my surprise I was totally correct. They brought us a to-go box for the rest of the cake and sure enough, it was Publix. The birthday dinner also included a present which was some Batman Legos. He was super surprised and very happy with it. Overall, I think it was well worth it.

Birthday Celebration at Legoland Resort. Birthday Button being put on — Getting the Birthday Button!

Legoland Birthday Dinner at Bricks — Crown, Button and Llama!

Natural Beauty of Florida

The outside of the resort remains true to the natural beauty of Florida with the large trees and boardwalk. You can play minigolf, have smores at night, and take a relaxing walk around the boardwalk where you can look out over Lake Eloise.

The LEGOS

This is a Lego Resort, so of course, there were LEGOS everywhere!! There is a section in the lobby as well as a lego ship play area that has lots of legos. In the room, there are also some legos that are meant to be played with (and left) in the room. There is a room to the side of the SkyLounge that shows lego movies and sometimes you can find Lego Friends hanging out in there.

Thoughts On The Resort Stay

The room was fantastic, the service at Bricks was great. The consistent theme throughout the resort was absolutely incredible. I’ve stayed at many hotels (looking at you Disney) and haven’t seen it done this well. I also loved the outside of the resort and that they kept a portion that reflects the natural beauty of Florida. The only downside was the front desk wasn’t overly friendly or helpful. The Skyline Lounge was extremely slow. We had gotten caught in a rainstorm and ran back to the hotel. They seemed understaffed or just not prepared for the crown. It seems odd with it being Florida and rainstorms a frequent occurrence that we waited over 10 minutes for drinks and another hour for our food. On the positive side, when we first walked into the hotel they were prepared with towels waiting for the guest to use to dry off. There were Lego Characters that would walk around with a “Model Citizen” (staff member) and a few of them just looked lost. Like they weren’t sure what to do. Later in the day some were out and interacted with the guest which went well. The kids enjoyed seeing them and they didn’t seem ‘lost’ like the ones we first saw. Overall, it was fun and there is a lot of potential here.

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Interested in other Florida Destinations? Check out this post:

Kennedy Space Center

Great Kids Books To Read Together

Filed Under: Kids October 16, 2019

Great Kids Books

There’s no denying the benefit of reading for kids. Whether reading to your toddler or an older kid reading themselves, the benefits have been shown many times. It can be fun to sit and read books as a family or as a bedtime routine.

Now that school has started and my youngest is in kindergarten, we’ve been reading a lot more. Below are some great books to read with your kids that are even fun for kids (who can read) to do so out loud, which by the way is also helpful when there are younger siblings. They are a sure way to help increase your child’s love of reading and will entertain you both along the way!

The Legend Of Rock Paper Scissors

Author: Drew Daywalt and Adam Rex

You’ve played the game. Now read the legend of how it all began . . .

This book is clever and full of sharp wit! It is the story (well an imaginary one) of how the legend of the popular kids game Rock, Paper, Scissors came to battle and who vanquishes whom. It’s entertaining and includes some silly “trash talk” with others who want to fight each competitor. The book is filled with fun silly scenarios. Paper battles a printer, Scissors challenges a tape dispenser and Rock challenges an apricot, just to name a few of the battles you’ll read.

There are sayings like “drop that underwear and battle me, you ridiculous wooden clip man!” (said by Rock to a clothespin) that will have kids rolling with laughter. It leads up to the point where each (Rock, Paper and Scissors) meet their match. Each is incredibly happy and grateful to have met a worthy opponent.

The book is best read out loud and don’t worry, the expressive fonts and incredible illustrations will help you get into character to read it. You may even find yourself putting on a full performance as you read it! This is definitely one of those books that is fun for kids and adults!

Mother Bruce

Author: Ryan T. Higgens

Bruce is a grumpy bear that becomes a parent to baby geese. In life, Bruce gets enjoyment out of cooking eggs. He’s particularly fond of “free-range organic” eggs. He spends his time collecting eggs from around the forest and looking up recipes online. One day however, four of his eggs hatch baby geese and they are convinced that Bruce is their mother.

He tries his best to rid himself of the baby geese but they are not going so he takes on his role as Mother Bruce. It even follows them from “annoying baby geese” to the struggles Bruce faces with “stubborn teenage geese” all the way to “boring adult geese” who don’t understand the concept of migration so Bruce finds a solution. The book is cute and comical, parents will be able to relate to some of the concepts and kids will find them funny as well.

More Reviews of Mother Bruce

Extension Activities with this book

There’s a Monster in Your Book

Author: Tom Fletcher

Some books were made to be read out loud.

A monster has invaded the pages of your book! You have to try and get him out by following interactive instructions such as tilting, spinning and shaking the book to get the mischievous little monster out. What do you do once he’s out though?

This bedtime story is fun and is great to read to your child. The book does a great job of being exciting but also helping your child get ready for bed. If your child is a new reader this is a great book for them to read out loud for practice. The book’s fun and interactive making reading feel less like work and more like a discovery. No worries, after the excitement of getting the monster out of the book it does wind down to bring calm to bedtime.

Looking For More? Check Out This Post!

Things To Do In and Around Atlanta with Kids

Filed Under: Travel October 14, 2019

Things To Do In & Around Atlanta with Kids

Looking for things to do in Atlanta? We did a long weekend trip and here are some of the favorite things we hit on it. There is so much to see and do in Atlanta; it’s one of those cities where you can’t go wrong.

Atlanta with kids is also a fun adventure. There is a lot for families to see and explore in and around the city.

Atlanta Sites to See

Georgia Aquarium

This is the largest aquarium in the world. There’s so much to see here! There’s giant aquariums with different types of fish, touch tanks, and shows that you can see. It’s enjoyable for kids and adults. If you are in Atlanta, it’s definitely a must-see!

World of Coca-Cola

Where else would there be a Coca-Cola museum than in the city it came out of? The World of Coca-Cola is a fun, interactive museum where you can see Coke artifacts, learn fun facts, and enjoy their tasting room.

Pemberton Place

is a five acres lush green space that you will find between the Georgia Aquarium and The World of Coca-Cola. It’s a nice place to grab some lunch, sit down and rest, or people watch! The land was donated by the Coca-Cola Company as part of it’s commitment to Downtown Atlanta. The name comes from John Pemberton who invented Coca-Cola just a few blocks away.

Centennial Olympic Park

Where you can snap photos at the Fountain of Rings and the five Quilt statues. The park is open daily from 7 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Skyview Ferris Wheel

This Ferris wheel towers nearly 20 stories above Centennial Park! It has climate-controlled gondolas and gives you a breathtaking view of downtown Atlanta and the surrounding area. There are VIP gondolas that have Ferrari style seats, glass floors and longer flight time.

The Varsity

This is a restaurant chain that is fast food and covers 2 city blocks, that opened originally in 1928. It has the reputation of being the “World’s Largest Drive-In.” They serve burgers, hot dogs, shakes, and other classic fast-food type offerings. My favorite is their Frosted Orange Shake. It’s a creamy orange milkshake

made with vanilla ice-cream and their Varsity Orange drink.

Olympic Torch Tower

This is a 123-foot-tall torch observation deck from when Atlanta hosted the Summer Olympics in 1996. You can see it from I-20 going east; you can also see it from outside The Varsity window! It is not the Official Olympic Torch as you might think, however it is a cool conversation piece with kids about how the Olympics were held in Atlanta.

Outlets in Dawsonville, Ga

Kate Spade, Nike, The Disney Store, North Face, Justice, Pottery Barn and more. I love this outlet mall and they have some fantastic deals on great brands! I stocked up on some North Face for the whole family at prices cheaper than I can find on sale in a regular store.

Stone Mountain

Stone Mountain Park is on 3,200 acres of natural beauty. Located 15 miles east of Atlanta, it offers wide variety of family friendly activities and recreation. On our visit, we did the Summit Skyride which is a Swiss cable car that takes you up more than 825 feet above ground to the top of Stone Mountain. You’ll get an amazing view of the Atlanta skyline as well as the Appalachian Mountains. Check out their activities/attractionssection for specific events going on during your visit! Some of the various activities are a Dinotorium, Museum, Farmyard, Geyser Tower, Scenic Railroad and much, much more! Admission to the park is $20.

Culver’s Restaurant

This isn’t native to Atlanta, but there are several around including near the Outlets in Dawsonville, Georgia. They originated in Wisconsin and grew from there. Their mission is “that every guest show chooses Culver’s leaves happy.” Mission accomplished. Their food is fresh, and you can tell as you bite into one of their delicious ButterBurgers. In addition, they have the most amazing cheese curds on the planet! Their custard is fresh, and made in the restaurant throughout the day, and when you taste it… you can tell there is a difference!

Six Flags Over Georgia

This is often a top summer destination for thrill seekers! There’s also kids sections of the park and a waterpark.

Atlanta Botanical Garden

An amazing botanical garden! There’s also Chef events, Storbook Time, Garden Playtime and more. Currently there’s an Alice’s Wonderland exhibit, you can check out this videoto see the details! Prices for adults $21.95, Kids ages 3-12 $18.95

Center for Puppetry Arts

You’ll get to see puppets from around the world as well as check out an interactive exhibit of “The Jim Henson Collection” where you’ll see things from Jim Henson’s office and T.V. studio as well as his iconic puppets Kermit and Miss Piggy! There are various tickets options, which you can view on Center for Puppetry Arts Calendar of Events.

Fernbank Museum of Natural History

This is Atlanta’s version of New York’s Museum of Natural History but also takes the learning outdoors. The museum is a fun place for kids to explore. Their family friendly programs include: Tadpole Tales, Live Animal Encounter, Storytelling, Science Discovery Carts and more! Admissionis $18 for kids 3-12, $20 for Adults 13-64 and $19 for Seniors age 65+.

Atlanta Zoo

Check out Pandas, Gorillas, Elephants and more at the Atlanta Zoo which has over 1500 animals! It’s been rated as one to the top zoo’s in the US. Tickets are a little cheaper online if you buy them before you go as opposed to at the gate. Online tickets are $18.99 for Kids 3-11 and $24.99 for Adults 12+.

As you can see, there is so much to see in do in and around Atlanta with kids. It is a great destination to make memories as a family.

Looking For Other Places To Visit with Kids?

Check out the post below on Discovery Place Museum in North Carolina!