Ticket Giveaway: Sesame Street Live

My kids are quite excited because those lovable, furry creatures are on their way back to Pittsburgh! Yep, it's Sesame Street Live and always a fun show. Kids love the music, singing, dancing and just seeing their favorite characters in action.

This year's show focuses on friendship as Elmo, Grover, Abby Cadabby, and their Sesame Street friends welcome Chamki, Grover’s friend from India, to Sesame Street. Together, they explore the universal fun of friendship and celebrate cultural similarities, from singing and dancing, to sharing cookies! 

Sesame Street Live has 7 show times at CONSOL Energy Center! 

Friday, January 9th: 10:30am / 6:30pm
Saturday, January 10th: 10:30am / 2pm / 5:30pm
Sunday, January 11th: 1pm / 4:30pm

Order tickets online here or at the Dick's Sporting Goods Box Office at CONSOL Energy Center, all Ticketmaster locations including select Giant Eagle locations, and Ticketmaster Charge-By-Phone at 1-800-745-3000.

We have 20 tickets to giveaway - 5 families will each win 4 tickets! 
Your tickets will be left at Will Call with the show time of your choosing. 

Go here to enter: 

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I was given tickets in exchange for promotion, however, all opinions remain my own. 

Healthy Together Pittsburgh

I am partnering with Allies for Children and Moms Rising to promote the Healthy Together campaign, which aims to cover 100 percent of children and youth in the City of Pittsburgh with quality, affordable health insurance. This is a sponsored post, however all thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own.

Health coverage is a major part of our lives and, in America, it has changed drastically for many of us in the past few years. When you have children, the last thing you want to think about is whether you can afford to take your child to the doctor. I will never forget moving to Pittsburgh and PA for the first time with an infant and finding out about CHIP. Even though my husband's job offered insurance, we were still able to take advantage of this fantastic resource available to kids in PA. Another reason I am so grateful for the coverage afforded to kids in Pittsburgh is because of my role as a foster mom. Children that enter the foster system are automatically enrolled in health care. This is an immediate burden lifted off the foster families shoulders. Many of these kids haven't had regular well visits or been seen at the doctor when they should have been, and so getting them into good health care immediately is extremely vital.  Even if you think your income is above the requirements, it's still worth checking into. There are varying levels of CHIP, some are completely free, if you have higher income you may have to pay some out of pocket costs. But there is a good chance it is still much cheaper than a company's insurance plan.

I recently had a chance to learn more about the Healthy Together initiative at a gathering at the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh. It was wonderful to learn about the many ways that kids are going to benefit from this resource. 

There are currently 2,000 uninsured children in the Pittsburgh area, but many are working hard to drastically change that statistic. The Office of Mayor William Peduto is partnering with Allies for Children, the Consumer Health Coalition, the Allegheny County Health Department and other child-serving organizations to implement the Healthy Together campaign. Healthy Together will be implementing strategies to make ensure that families are aware of the health insurance resources available to their children. They will be holding enrollment activities in various neighborhoods, working with the above noted organizations to connect with these families, as well as work with Pittsburgh Public Schools to identify uninsured students and connect families to enrollment activities.

Want to attend an enrollment event or learn more about this initiative? Check the Healthy Together website by logging onto http://www.getenrolledpgh.com Need health insurance? Dial   2-1-1 to be connected to the Consumer Health Coalition. They will provide assistance at no cost. 

Watch this video for more info: 

I'm grateful to those who are working hard to ensure all kids have health insurance. If you think this might be a benefit to your family, don't hesitate to learn more about the options available for your kids!

#Enrollobot

Facebook: Healthy Together Twitter: https://twitter.com/Healthy412
Facebook: Allies for Children Twitter: https://twitter.com/allies4children
Facebook: Consumer Health Coalition Twitter:https://twitter.com/CHCPGH
Facebook: MomsRising.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/MomsRising

Kennywood Holiday Lights ticket giveaway

My family was invited to visit Kennywood for our first experience at the Holiday Lights. What a cool experience! I have never been to an amusement park in the winter and it was decked out in full holiday spirit! We loved the festive atmosphere with so many Christmas lights and the Christmas music playing throughout the park was enough to  put everyone in a jolly mood.

Holiday Lights is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights from November 28 – December 21, 2014. Hours are 5 – 9pm.

Admission at the Gate: $16.99 (+ $1 amusement tax). Save $2.00 at Giant Eagle or Purchase online for $14.99  ($1.25 processing fee & $1 amusement tax). Kids 2 and under are FREE! Parking is also free in the Kennywood lot. 

There are over 1 million sparkling lights as well as fun, festive opportunities to decorate cookies, ride the Gingerbread Express, visit Santa, and hear choirs singing throughout the park. You'll find hot chocolate and apple cider added to refreshment stands to help you warm up!

Rides in the main park are open on a limited basis, the carousel is open. Kiddieland has up to 8 rides open which kept my kids plenty busy. This is hands down all 4 of my kid's favorite ride! :)

Your kids might also enjoy a special opportunity to have dinner with Santa! Dinner reservations can be made for Dec. 13, 14 or 20. Dinner is an all-you-can-eat buffet from 3:30-4:30 pm with a visit from Santa from 4-4:45 pm. After that you're welcome to enjoy the evening at the Festival of Lights.

 $26.99 / adults. $23.99 / ages 3-12. Kids 2 and under are free. Space is limited and reservations are required here. 

You might run into a few fun characters on your visit!

Don't miss the Lagoon where the reflections are gorgeous! The fantastic light show at the Lagoon runs every 30 minutes and is choreographed to some of our favorite Christmas songs. 

Show times: 5:30 pm, 6:00 pm, 6:30 pm, 7:00 pm, 7:30 pm, 8:00pm, 8:30 pm. Shows last 10 minutes.  

I have the chance to share with you a chance to enjoy the Kennywood Holiday Lights with your family! 

One lucky winner will win 4 tickets for the day of your choice. 

Your tickets will be held at Guest Relations under will call. 

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Thanks, Kennywood, for being a great Pittsburgh holiday tradition!

In review: Minted

We received our Christmas cards and loved trying out Minted cards for the first time! I also decided to try another new thing this year: postcards. If you are looking to save a little money on both cards and postage, postcards are a great option! You can have a personal message included on the back as well.  Now my biggest challenge is to get them addressed and sent out before Christmas actually passes. :)

 

 

I love the quality of Minted, the cards are on wonderful, thick paper. AND they do include FREE addressing on envelopes - what a deal that is! (Postcards aren't included in the free addressing option.)

Being a blogger and playdate coordinator, I am always on the lookout for great business or "mommy cards". Ohhhh, do I love the selection from Minted! Love the option of a square shape, their lovely modern designs, and that they come with a great little carrier box. (I'm also notorious for pulling a bent one out of a bag. :)

 

Still in need of Christmas cards? Through 12/9,  take advantage of 15% off + free shipping on holiday cards. Code: JOLLY15FS.

Minted provided me with holiday cards. Review contains my own opinions.

Giveaway: Tickets for the Harlem Globetrotters

My 5yo son has spent much of the last 6 months asking when the Globetrotters will be back! This is one of his favorite shows of the year and it is finally almost here! The Globetrotters always put on a fantastic family-friendly show that is engaging and fun for the audience. And those mascots? Killer!

CONSOL Energy Center

December 26

1:00pm and 6:00pm

Tickets at Ticketmaster.com and 1-800-745-3000.

The iconic Harlem Globetrotters come to town with their unrivaled family show, featuring some of the greatest athletes on the planet. With incredible ball handling wizardry, amazing rim-rattling dunks and trick shots, side-splitting comedy and unequaled on-court fan interaction, this must-see event is guaranteed to entertain the whole family – creating memories that will last a lifetime.

The Globetrotters will face a great challenge this year, as the infamous Washington Generals are more determined than ever to beat the Globetrotters.  The Generals, the last team to beat the Globetrotters, are now coached by a former member of that 1971 team.  They are on a mission and will do whatever it takes to win, with a new strategy that’s sure to give the Globetrotters a run for their money.

I love how they interact with the audience!

Tickets would make a great Christmas gift for kids! 

FIVE lucky families will each win 4 tickets for the show - which makes great day after Christmas family fun! 
You will receive vouchers that you can exchange at the CONSOL Box Office for either the 1pm or 6pm show on Dec. 26.  You will 24 hours to confirm your win or a new winner will be chosen. 

Go here to enter: 

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I was given tickets for my family in exchange for the promotion. All opinions remain my own. Photos used by permission of the Harlem Globetrotters. 

December Events at Fifth Avenue Place

We love taking our family Downtown and Fifth Avenue Place is a great family holiday destination! It's inside, has a food court and restrooms, and lots of Christmas fun to offer, what's not to love? :) Add to the excitement and take the T to Downtown with a drop-off in close proximity to Fifth Ave.

Creation Stations - FREE Family Fun with the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh

Saturday, December 6
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Frozen In Time
The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh will help your kids freeze favorite memories with time capsules.  Snap a photo with your favorite holiday snowman.  Be amazed as Chris Handa brings the magic of the holidays to life!  Then showcase your very own magic by creating a water color masterpiece.

Saturday, December 13
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. It’s A Frozen Wonderland
Freeze frame and strike a holiday pose for a fun keepsake photo or caricature.  Create a frozen favorite – Ice Cream! – with the Carnegie Science Center.  And join cheerful elves from The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh making reindeer crowns.

Saturday, December 20
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. The Frozen Life
Snowmen and snowflakes take center stage.  Join The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh designing these frosty treasures.  And visit with their cheerful elves for balloon art and holiday face painting.

FREE Fifth Avenue Place Holly Trolley 
Every Saturday through December 20 / 11 a.m. – 5 p.m
Discover all the sights and sounds of the holiday season in downtown Pittsburgh aboard the FREE Fifth Avenue Place Holly Trolley.  Hosted by Santa’s little helpers, trolleys circle downtown each weekend picking up at stops approximately every 15 minutes. Visit www.downtownpittsburgh.com for a listing of all trolley stops.  
 
Friday, November 28 – Tuesday, December 23 
Monday – Friday Holiday Lunchtime Concerts, 12 p.m
Daily  Live musical performances from some of Pittsburgh’s favorite artists bring the sounds of the season to life during the always entertaining Lunchtime Concert Series.

Friday, December 5 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. 
Come meet Josh Miller and Shawn Allen, authors of the new book, “Always a Home Game” which chronicles the black and gold nation all over the country.  Pick up a copy and have it personalized during their appearance at Welcome Pittsburgh.

Thursday, December 10 & Friday, December 19 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Jim O’Brien Book Signing He's back!  Pittsburgh sports author and historian, Jim O'Brien returns to Fifth Avenue Place.  He will be in Center Court December 10 and December 19 autographing all of your sports collection favorites.  

Thursday, December 11 – Saturday, December 13 11 a.m. – Close 
Gift Certificate BONUS Days Only a few shopping days left!  Find the perfect gift at Fifth Avenue Place and earn a FREE Fifth Avenue Place Gift Certificate with qualifying retail purchases.  Redeem receipts from 11 a.m. – close in Center Court.  
Receipt Total  Receive
$25-$49.99  $5 Gift Certificate
$50-$99.99  $10 Gift Certificate
$100+   $25 Gift Certificate

Wednesday, December 10 – Friday, December 12 10:00 a.m. – 6 p.m.  
Glass Eye Studio Trunk Show & Sale at Crystal River Gems The much anticipated holiday sale returns. Stop by Fifth Avenue Place Wednesday, December 10 - Friday, December 12 and explore the world of glass art – from ornaments and paperweights to vases and bowls.  Crystal River Gems will be selling a variety of hand-crafted gift items exclusively from Glass Eye Studio.

Friday, December 12 & Monday-Tuesday, December 15- 16 6 – 9 a.m.
Make-A-Wish & Wish 99.7 FM Light Up A Child’s Life Campaign Help make a child’s wish come true this holiday season!  Stop by Fifth Avenue Place for the annual Make-A-Wish fundraiser with WISH Radio.  Ron Antill and representatives from Make-A-Wish will be broadcasting live from 6 – 9 a.m. in Center Court, collecting donations and raising awareness for Make-A-Wish.

ONGOING HOLIDAY AMENITIES
 Friday, November 28 – Monday Wednesday, December 24 After 4 p.m.
Weekdays Holiday Parking Validation All Day Saturdays  Enjoy FREE Parking with any $20 Fifth Avenue Place retail purchase in the Fifth Avenue Place Garage on Evenings (enter after 4pm) and Weekends.

120 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA  15222
412-456-7800
@FifthAvePlace
www.FifthAvenuePlacePA.com

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This post sponsored by Fifth Avenue Place. All opinions remains my own.