sea world's halloween spooktacular 2011

Living in Orlando gives our family a lot of opportunity to check out a ton of fun stuff and although we may not experience Autumn like some states there are so many Halloween/Fall events to check out here so we are definitely not missing out on Autumn, believe me. Sea World brings Halloween to kids and parents alike every year for Sea World's Halloween Spooktacular event. Each weekend in October kids can come dressed up in their costume and Trick or Treat around the park while still enjoying all the fun and education that Sea World is known for.
This year my daughter (6 years old) went to check out the festivities with fellow blogging friend Lee from MySentimentExactlee.com and her 3 year old son.

After checking out the sting rays, dolphins and penguins they kids were eager to get their trick or treating on so we hit up the various stations around the park. You can't miss where the candy is because you will see big infalted tubs filled with goodies like Twizzler and Nerds!

You kids can take pictures with sea princesses, star fish and shell creatures all in this very UNspooky setting. Unlike other events at theme parks Sea World has created the perfect event just for kids to enjoy.
The bubble machines around the park give you a great "under water" feel and of course everyone loves playing with bubbles.

Once your kids are hyped up on all that yummy candy you can take them to Shamu's Happy Harbor where they can ride on rollercoasters, climb a huge boat and of course the net playground. Word to the wise if you're an adult, don't climb up here with your kids like I did! My legs and knees are still killing me!

We had such a great time at the Halloween Spooktacular! I think it's a great event for all ages since the little ones will still have an amazing time checking out all the fish and mammals.

Disclaimer: Lee received media tickets to attend this event and she invited me to tag along.

Our crazy busy summer.... & LIFE.

So I've been slacking on lots of stuff recently. I have so many reviews & giveaways that should have been done already (sorry to all the co's out there) but we've been so busy.

Summer has just started but we've been doing lots. Nothing major but we're just hardly home, and when I am here I'm too tired to write a blog or type up a review.

Our days have been filled with trips to the mall, trips to Disney, Sea World, & Aquatica (a waterpark made by Sea World), movies, lunches, and just really spending 24/7 together as a family.
We are really trying to give as much to Makenna as we can right now because in such a short amount of time her baby sister will be here and we do not want her to forget how much we love her.

Speaking of Kendall, scariness happened last Sunday. On Friday the 18th - mid afternoon John noticed that only my right leg/foot was huge and swollen. After resting for a couple days we decided to call my doctor on Sunday. She told us to go to the hospital to get an ultra sound and some tests done. My BP came back being 111/55 so no preeclampsia, & the ultra sounds came back perfectly clear so no clots. It was just "normal" pregnancy swelling. I was told to just try to stay off my feet 70% of the day and keep my legs elevated. I'm just thankful the swelling didn't happen till 34 weeks cause I know some women have it happen sooner and have to live with it for a long time.
Also, I was checked and we found out I was 40% effaced, -2 station and almost 1 cm dilated. I'm pretty freaked out because with Makenna - @ 40 weeks I was 0 everything then @ 41 weeks I was 4-5cm dilated and within hours my daughter was here. We were told that because I've already had a baby that's typical to already be thinning out so soon but I'm not ok with that answer and I've been on pins & needles for the past week.

Tomorrow I am 35 weeks & we have an appointment (original appt. was LAST Tuesday but John & I had to reschedule then on Friday my doctor had an emergency with another patient so we had to reschedule AGAIN) & even though I didn't want to be checked until I was in labor, I dont care anymore. I'm going to ask to be checked just so I can have some peace of mind and be at ease a little more. Hopefully I'm still the same and I wont have to think every waking moment that I'm progressing more and more.

REMINDER:: I have lots of giveaways and reviews up right now! You know you wanna win some awesome stuff, and if you dont need it then win it for a friend!! My "Showering Mommy & Baby Event" isn't over yet... & won't be till September so keep coming back, keep entering and keep winning!!

And remember, if DDM gets 300 "Likes" on Facebook by the end of the week I'll give everyone TEN extra entries into your choice giveaway.

Also, please vote daily on TBB and TMB! :)

 

 

Thanks so much guys ♥

"Showering Mommy & Baby" Giveaway Event! - Joovy Stroller Review

I of course was extremely excited when Pam of Joovy gave me the opportunity to review one of their amazingly strollers. Joovy makes an assortment of different family gear products but their strollers are my favorite!
Along with strollers Joovy makes playards, toys, accessories (rain covers, parent organizer, stroller chair pads, fitted sheet, etc), and their newest product is their "Nook" highchair (which looks pretty awesome if you ask me.... this may be our next purchase)!!

I was sent the Joovy Zoom 360 (jogging stroller) because I thought it'd be best to maneuver around all the crazy tourist at Disney World, & Sea World!

When the Fed-Ex truck arrived I was instantly glowing and so excited!! After the quick assembly that I did it by myself while John was at work, I was even more excited!! The instructions were sooo easy I didn't once question what I was doing and if I was doing something wrong.

The Zoom 360 has a very lightweight aluminum frame that has a 3-inch shock-absorbing suspension, which makes for an extremely smooth ride for your child.

The front wheel can be stationary or you move the easy release tab to make it swivel which made it easy to take sudden turns if someone stopped in front of us.
The deluxe nylon fabric comes with reflective tape on several different spots, front back and sides, so if your walking in the dark (or leaving the theme park at night and walking to the car in our case) you can be seen.
One of my absolute favorite things is the oversized, 3-position sun canopy with viewing window! I've never seen a sun canopy cover the seat area so well without blocking the child's view & has multiple positions!!
The Zoom 360 comes with a parent organizer with zippered pocked, two cup/bottle holders. It is removable so you can easily wash it or just take it off if you have something else you want to hang on the handlebar.

Question: What handle organizer have you ever seen that can perfectly hold a 32oz bottle of Gatorade (which yes, is the BIG bottle)?? The zipper pocket is just as deep so we were able to keep John's DSi (lol, yes he brought it to Disney for when Makenna was on a ride or something), our digital camera and a small bag of chips!




Sporting an easy to use deluxe 5-point harness (with reflective stitching) on the multi-position reclining seat, plus two mesh pockets on either side for your child to use. Makenna loved the chair because she was sitting high up and could see everything around her. I'm excited because once Kendall comes along she can easily use this stroller once she's at least 6 months old.

The folding was extremely easy that is done in the front of the stroller. Just lift a flap (marked "Fold") push down on a lever and pull up on the cord. It practically folds itself up at that point. The one complaint both John & I have is that once folded there is no where to hold the stroller. Getting on and off the trolley at Disney was a pain for John because he had to carry the stroller on both sides without a good place to grip it.
And even though the Zoom is pretty bulky it fit surprisingly well into both my car and John's car. I have a small 4-door car and John has a medium size 4-door car and it fit so well into both our trunks without any problem. Again, the only thing is lifting the stroller is a little annoying since there are no clear areas to grab & grip the stroller.

The Zoom 360 Specs:

• Age: 6 Months
• Max Weight: 75 pounds
• Stroller Weight: 26.8 pounds
• Stroller Dimensions: Height 45.5", Width 26.0, Length 36.5.

 The retail cost of the Joovy Zoom 260 is on the higher side at $269 but I think the cost is definitely worth it. If you're an active family (or really even if your not, like us) then investing in a great stroller is the key. The Joovy won't let you down any way shape or form, that's for sure.

Overall we have had nothing but a great experience with the Zoom 360 by Joovy. If you're looking for a stylish yet very durable stroller, plus one that gives you and your child the smoothest ride then definitely the Joovy Zoom is the stroller for you.

[[GO BUY IT:]]
The Joovy Zoom 360 retails for $269.00

[[THE FINE PRINT:]]

**No other monetary compensation was received for this review - I was sent the product(s) to review at no cost to me. The views and opinions are strictly my own. Your results and views may differ.**

Semi Wordless Wednesday

Sea World 5/26/10

Took a little trip to Sea World today... just because. Today was the only day this week that apparently it's not supposed to rain.

We have season tickets so we (use to) go all the time, but it's been year since our last visit. The cold and our busy schedules have kept us. It was definitely a nice break from Sea World since it was really starting to lose it's "yay" factor to me. Seriously, last year we would go pretty much every single day since we lived right in back of it practically. Before work we'd go for a couple hours, or after work we'd go for a couple hours and then on our days off... we were always at Sea World.

So here are our pics from today! :)

Makenna & Shamu

Baby Shamu kissing my belly, lol

Makenna in my wheel chair before the Shamu show.

& yes, we got me a wheel chair, lol. I was sooo not about to walk around the whole park all day! :)

One of the two BABY Shamu whales. "awwwwww" is right.

Shamu

Makenna waving her flag for Shamu!

Playing in the kiddy water area.

♥ ♥

I freakin' love them!