Giveaway: Holiday Lights Mini Golf

There's a new holiday tradition in the Pittsburgh region! That would be Holiday Lights Mini Golf at Fun Fore All Family Fun Park in Cranberry Twp., Pa. 36 holes of award-winning miniature golf decked in holiday lights, as well as tons of great events centered around the holiday season!

Fun Fore All's Holiday Lights Mini Golf is a NEW Christmas tradition in the making!  Fun Fore All is turning their two award-winning miniature golf courses (Cave Course and Lighthouse Course) into a fully playable walk-through holiday lights show. You will experience various animated themed holiday lights (country western, penguins, Taj Mahal, under the sea, Victorian Christmas + more) in the most FUNtastic way possible! 

Complete with two walk through light tunnels, a twenty-foot Christmas tree, and a holiday musical show that plays several times an hour, Fun Fore All’s Holiday Lights Mini Golf is sure to put you in the Christmas spirit!

You can view a full schedule of special events here, including some of these specially-themed evenings!

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25TH - PRINCESS NIGHT 

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2ND - STAR WARS NIGHT

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9TH - STEELERS‘ NIGHT 

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16TH - PENGUINS‘ NIGHT 

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31st - NEW YEAR’S FUNTASTIC EVE 

TUESDAY, JANUARY 2nd LAST NIGHT OF HOLIDAY LIGHTS MINI GOLF 

Best of all, each mini golf admission benefits the Highmark Caring Place. 

WHAT IS THE CARING PLACE?

    The death of a loved one is devastating to a child. The impact can be overwhelming and the children and family often need support. The Highmark Caring Place can provide that support through its various programs. Thousands of community members are helped by the Caring Place each year at no cost through our peer support programs, and our education, consultation, and referral services.

After a brisk game of mini golf, you can head inside and warm up with more fun activities. Their 4-story, soft-style play area (Ballocity) is one of my kids favorite play areas! There are also arcade games, the NEW XD Dark Ride, rock climbing wall + more. 

So, who wants to take the family for a fun outing? I have 4 tickets to give away! 

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This post sponsored by Fun Fore All. I have received product or compensation for my review. I don't endorse things I don't love!

412 Food Rescue + La Prima Coffee

412 Food Rescue is at it again, continuing to spread resources of food surplus in our city! If you're a fan of the Strip District, then chances are you might be a fan of the authentic Italian coffee shop, La Prima Coffee. On any given morning, you'll find a group of older Italians gathered for their morning coffee - and it doesn't get much more authentic that that! It's exciting to hear that La Prima Coffee is teaming up with 412 Food Rescue to benefit our community.

412 Food Rescue and La Prima Coffee will be hosting a party to celebrate the launch of their partnership:

• August 10 starting at 10 AM ET – open to the public
• Light breakfast refreshments - biscottis/pastries/etc

How it will benefit 412 Food Rescue:

• $1 of each bag sold will be donated to 412 Food Rescue to further their mission to #endhunger and #endfoodwaste in Pittsburgh.
• Promotion lasts until the coffee is sold out!

How you can purchase coffee:

• On the 412 Food Rescue website here. 
• La Prima will also sell the 412 Food Rescue bean from their Strip District Espress Bar and Nova Place .
• The coffee will be sold whole bean, but if you buy it at La Prima retail locations, they will be happy to grind it for your machine.

Volunteer Opportunities

412 Food Rescue volunteers make the work happen. Food rescue heroes transport food from donors to nonprofit partners. Pick ups happen daily and can be as quick as 30 minutes of your time.

You can volunteer as much or as little as you like. 412 Food Rescue alerts volunteers to available “rescues” and they respond to the ones that are right for them. Download the app (iOs or Android) to get alerts on rescues near you.
The organization has opportunities to leverage also any skill set, from hands-on activities such as food rescues and harvesting of produce to admin tasks and event planning.
Email info@412foodrescue.org to inquire about how you can work with the organization!

Opportunities for Students as They Head Back to School This Fall
As students head back to Pittsburgh, there are ample opportunities for them to get involve
d, as well! College students are encouraged to reach out to learn more about starting a 412 Food Rescue chapter on their campus OR they can join an existing organization on campus. If college students are going into a food related field (including nutrition/dietetics, public health, education, culinary arts, etc.), they could become Cooking Matters instructors.

So, grab that coffee while you can and don't forget to sign up with your kids to be a Food Rescue Hero! 

#412FoodRescue

Sponsored post in partnership with The Motherhood on behalf of 412 Food Rescue. 

Mega Giveaway: Celebrating Moms in May

It's May and I think it's ok to celebrate mamas all month long! Being a mom is one of the sweetest gifts to be given. But we also know there are weary days, sleepless nights and many constant demands of us. This month is a chance for us to celebrate motherhood in many special ways!

For our annual Mother's Day giveaway, we have some amazing prizes up for grabs as well as sharing some great Pittsburgh mom-owned businesses. Here's what we're giving away:

• $25 to MKN Apparel
• $50 to Levana Bratique
• $100 to Ikea
• $100 to Ross Park Mall

MKN Apparel knows that sometimes you need just the right shirt to make you smile and keep you motivated! MKN Apparel has a line of fun shirts for moms, dads & kids. MKN Apparel is owned by a Pittsburgh mama who loves to see other moms enjoying the fun shirts she designs. Check out their website for their full inventory of shirts with the perfect slogan just for you! ❤

MKN Apparel is giving a $25 gift card to their online store!

We love that MKN Apparel is our shop of choice to print our Pgh Momtourage t-shirts! This fun design was created by one of our very own Momtourage mamas. If you join us at our Momtourage playdates, look for our group in the teal shirts! You can also order your own Momtourage tshirt here.

Levana Bratique is a woman owned and operated business. They are the only independently owned store of it's kind in the greater Pittsburgh area! Owner Judy Masucci says, Great bras are my passion!  After spending 9+ years helping nursing moms to find great bras, I decided to close my maternity business and open a business where I can help all women to find great bras! 

I have been an entrepreneur since 2007 when I opened my first business, A Mother's Boutique®.  This business started out as a nursingwear shop and gradually morphed into the largest selection of nursing bras in the greater Pittsburgh area.  As time went on, I decided I wanted to help all women, not just new moms, to find great bras. From this desire, Levana Bratique was born.  

Levana Bratique carries bras for every woman and specializes in hard to find sizes. Underwire bras, soft cup bras, sports bras, sexy bras, nursing bras - you name it - if you are looking for it, chances are they have it. They carry bras in sizes ranging from 28-60 bands and A to W cups - something for everyone!  Levana Bratique includes the selling floor, 3 fitting rooms, a refreshment area and a small room where classes are regularly held. So many women are not wearing the correct size of bra and having the right fit is essential for comfort & confidence! Judy and her team know exactly how to find you the perfect fit. You will definitely get a personalized and focused experience at Levana! Judy Masucci has a passion for her business. She says, “I love helping women to feel better in their own bodies. I have met so many women who have never worn the right bra size, and when they finally have a bra that fits them correctly; it is literally a life-changing event. You wear your bra all day, every day, and wearing one that doesn’t fit or isn’t comfortable can really have an impact on your overall well-being. I love being able to make a difference for women.” 

Levana Bratique will be giving a $50 gift card to their store to one lucky mama!

Who doesn't love a trip making wish lists and wandering the winding aisles of Ikea? ☺ (I know this mama does!)  Amazing eye-catching products at great prices, a kid's drop off play area, kids eat free Tuesdays  + more! My hubby and I have definitely taken advantage of dropping our kids at their fun Smaland and having some uninterrupted shopping time together.
Are you looking for a part-time job? Did you know IKEA is a great option for moms? If you work at least 20 hours you get paid vacation and sick days. There are also benefits to work nights and weekends and after 3 years, maternity leave is covered 100%. 

IKEA is generously giving you the chance for a $100 shopping spree....I'm sure you'll have a hard time choosing what to buy! 

Another favorite stopping point for many is the Ross Park Mall. They are anchored by 4 major department stores, but have 170 specialty shops as well. Some of my favorites there include JCrew, H&M, Crate & Barrel, Francesca's, GAP, Apple, Sephora + many more! They also have a great kid's play area for those days you can't get outside. There are multiple options in the food court, including the newly added Panera. The Cheesecake Factory is an added bonus for a sweet treat! 

One mama is going to have a great time spending $100 on herself with a fun shopping spree! 

Project OM. Join the Movement.

Ross Park Mall is proud to support Manduka and Susan G. Komen on project: OM, a yoga class of one million to battle breast cancer. Donate $10 to Susan G. Komen and receive a FREE yoga class plus a discount card offering 25% off participating retailers. Make your donation and sign up for a class by visiting https://bddy.me/xxxxxx. 

You can also sign up for a free class at South Hills Village here. 

GIVEAWAY:
Enter to win one of these 4 great prizes at link below! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If your kids are little, there isn't always a lot of thank you's to go around. I hope those around you, whether it's your husband, your own mom, your sister or your friends will encourage you in your journey of raising little people this month! 💗

Thank you to MKN Apparel, Levana Bratique, Ikea and Ross Park Mall for showing their appreciation for moms in this special giveaway! 

$25 + Pre-Sale Pass Giveaway: JBF Consignment Sale

There are a few things that are true for me as a busy mom of 4. #1) My time to shop for the family is VERY limited. #2) My kids keep growing out of their clothes 😌. #3) I'm always on the hunt for the best deals.

Those are some of the reasons I love JBF Consignment sale! A one-stop shop is the easiest for me to find what I need and there are many great deals to be found at JBF. Clothing, shoes, bikes, outdoor equipment, sports equipment, costumes, books, and toys are just some of the items that I have picked up at JBF the past few years. 😊 

JBF Pittsburgh Consignment Sale

March 31 - April 2, 2017

David L. Lawrence Convention Center

These sales are a great place to stock up for upcoming birthdays or even Christmas gifts. You can find many options of a huge variety of toys, books, outdoor play equipment + much more!

You will find a great selection of clothing options to browse! Keep in mind that the spring sale will focus more on the upcoming summer season. 

The shoe tables are always a great place to stop. You never know when you're going to find some great deals on shoes in "like-new" condition. 

Books, books & more books! ✔

The bikes go fast, but if you get there early, you might find a good one! 

Pre-Sale shopping is a great perk! Pre-Sale means you'll have the chance to be one of the first through the doors and have first pick of the sale options. Pre-Sale shopping is the best! (Not to mention you can beat the bigger crowds!!) Keep in mind that kids + strollers are not allowed during the pre-sale.

You may qualify for a free pre-sale pass if you are: 

• First Time Parents and Grandparents
• Foster/Adoptive Parents
• Military Families
• Teachers

Anyone else can purchase a pre-sale pass for $10. Go here to get your pre-sale pass. 

GIVEAWAY:

JBF Consignment Sale is kindly giving away a $25 gift certificate to one of our readers! This winner + 2 others will also win a PRE-SALE shopping pass. Head to link below to enter to win. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

JBF Consignment Sale is a great place to consign kids items that you no longer need as well! Go here for more info on consigning with JBF. 

This post is sponsored so I received compensation or products in exchange for my promotion. All opinions remain my own as I don't endorse companies that I don't value.

Questburgh: Escape Room for Kids

You may have heard about the "Escape Rooms" that are popping up all around our country. These are great options for date nights, mom's night out or fun with friends! 

Real-life Room Escape games are a type of live game where players are locked in a room with other participants and have to use elements of the room to solve a series of puzzles, find clues, and escape the room within 60 minutes.  

We were recently invited to participate in the Pirates adventure game at Questburgh. This is the only Escape Room in our region that younger kids can participate in! (One other Escape Room in our area starts at age 7.)  It's a great family adventure where parents might do most of the mystery solving for younger kids, but everyone can enjoy the thrill of helping to solve puzzles and hunting for lost treasures as well!  It is designed to start around 5 years old, but they also welcome younger kids as long as they are with their parents.

I decided to take my 7 year old son and some of his friends and they had a fantastic time finding the clues! 

It was a little unclear going into the room what exactly we should be looking for or doing, so the boys just started rattling, shaking and searching and we eventually started to figure it out! There is also help via camera if you are stuck. That was a HUGE help. 😃

Although I thought it was one room to escape, there ended up being a series of 3 rooms! 

I was the only adult that went in with the kids and the other parents waited in the lobby. We would love to see a TV on the wall where you can see the progress of what is happening in the rooms! This would also be great for older kids who might go in without adults and the parents would like to follow along in their hunt. 

We did it!! With one minute to spare, they opened the treasure box. They were very excited! This last room has a sand floor, so be aware for anyone with dust allergens or sensitivities, it was a little dusty in there. :) 

This was a really fun activity and families would have a great time doing it together. It also makes an exciting birthday party or fun venue to do with grandparents and grandkids! And if you prefer to do an adult event, you can also check out their Mafia room. 

I would love to see them offer a family rate, especially for families with younger kids.

Currently $28/adult and $19/child. 

They are located in the Southside, just off of Carson Street. Free parking is available. 

Go here to see all the information for their games! Or follow all their latest news through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.  

Thanks, Questburgh, for providing this fun adventure for families in our city!

(412) 346-484930 S 6th St, Pittsburgh, PA, 15203

This post is sponsored so I received compensation or products in exchange for my promotion. All opinions remain my own as I don't endorse companies that I don't value.

Honoring Dads this Father's Day (super giveaway!)

Dads are so important in the lives of kids and there are so many amazing dads out there that are encouraging their kid's hearts by the love, care and time they give to their children's lives. So this Father's Day, I wanted to have the chance to give a couple of dads some extra moments of fun with their family. I have partnered up with three local Pittsburgh venues that my family loves and I hope your family will love doing these activities together as well!

Three fantastic Pittsburgh venues for family fun are offering these prizes:

• Gateway Clipper Fleet: 4 tickets to the Chicken & Ribs Dinner Cruise
• Pittsburgh Riverhounds Soccer: 4 tickets to a game this summer
• Sky Zone Monroeville: 4 passes to the indoor trampoline park

GATEWAY CLIPPER FLEET

If you haven't had a chance to cruise aboard the GCF, you are missing out on a special Pittsburgh experience! Riding on the boat on the river through our beautiful city is the best way to travel. You might learn some fun facts about Pittsburgh that you never realized and you'll definitely take in some gorgeous views. 

And what could make the cruise any better? Well, fantastic food, of course! GCF is offering 4 tickets to one lucky winner for their Chicken & Ribs Dinner Cruise. 

This cruise happens every Tuesday & Thursday from June - August! Boards at 6pm, sails from 7-9pm. 

Menu:

• Hickory Smoked Barbecued Pork Ribs
• Whole Chicken Leg with Peach BBQ Glaze
• Quartered Red Skin Potatoes with Parsley
• Buttered Corn on the Cobb
• Macaroni & Cheese
• Slow Roasted Baked Beans with Sweet Sausage
• Creamy Cole Slaw
• Chocolate Mocha & Apple Spiced Cake
• Fresh Dinner Rolls & Corn Muffins with Butter
• Hot Coffee & Tea Service 

This summer they will also be offering a wine tasting dinner, kid-friendly Pirate dinner, picnic luncheon, and a family favorite, the Good Ship Lollipop Cruise + many more!

And don't miss.....kids ride for $1 on sightseeing cruises over holiday weekends this summer! 

PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS SOCCER

Everyone knows that sports in Pittsburgh is a really big deal. (Hello, Stanley Cup Champions!!) One of our newest & most affordable Pittsburgh sports is the Riverhounds Soccer team. In the beautiful river setting of Station Square, you and your family can enjoy a night of family fun with the world's most popular sport.  

There are only 10 games left in the home season for this summer, so head here to purchase tickets!

SKY ZONE MONREOVILLE

This past fall, my family had the opportunity to attend the grand opening of Sky Zone Trampoline Park in Monroeville. If you have ever wanted to find an activity to burn energy for your kids and burn calories for yourself, this is is! At Sky Zone you can bound on the trampolines, play basketball or dodgeball, jump into the foam pit or take a fitness class. It's a great venue to do as a family! 

Sky Zone provides you with Sky Socks for jumping and they separate jumpers by age and size. They highly recommend you reserve your time slot online ahead of time to avoid sell outs. They are closed on Mondays. Go here for more info about Sky Zone!

___________________________________________

  

Three dads will each win one of the following prizes!

• Gateway Clipper Fleet: 4 tickets to the Chicken & Ribs Dinner Cruise
• Pittsburgh Riverhounds Soccer: 4 tickets to a game this summer
• Sky Zone Monroeville: 4 passes to the indoor trampoline park

For your first entry, leave a blog post comment on what you love about being a dad or what you appreciate most about your dad or the dad of your kiddos. 

Head to link to enter to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I hope you have a wonderful Father's Day celebrating the dads in your life! Thank you to Gateway Clipper Fleet, Riverhounds Soccer and Sky Zone Monroeville for providing these fun family opportunities in Pittsburgh.

Sandcastle: Save $9.99 per ticket!

Sandcastle is another local favorite for us Pittsburghers! Whether you're planning a stay-cation, traveling through from out of town or simply looking for ways to cool off during the summer heat, Sandcastle is one of our favorite water destinations in the city. The location is amazing as it has been transformed from an old railroad yard, directly overlooking the Monongahela River. It's hard to believe you're in the middle of the city! 

Wet Willies is one of my kids favorite places. They love controlling 20,000 gallons of splashing fun, pulling ropes, twisting valves, and turning handles that unleash geysers, fountains and sprays!

There are two kids specific kids areas with shallow pools, including Wet Willie's Waterworks and the Tad Pool.  

But there are at least 4 areas with zero depth entry and life jackets are included for the wave pool. Man, my kids love the wave pool! 

Sandcastle offers 15 attractions, the Mon Tsunami Wave Pool, scenic Mushroom Pool, the relaxing lazy river, and two children’s area – all located on a boardwalk that is sure to make you feel like you are on vacation. For thrill seekers to mild riders to those that just want to relax, there is something for everyone! 

When you're ready just to hang out for a while, this unofficial "beach" offers some down time from the water fun!

Special Pgh Momtourage Offer

Tickets are only $23 when you purchase this special offer online! Children 3 and under are FREE. Junior (48" and under) and seniors (age 55+) are $22.99 at the gate (plus tax).

Save 9.99 per ticket. Tickets only $23 (not including tax and processing fee). 

Online offer only! Not Valid at the gate.

Purchase here. 

                          

Thanks to Sandcastle for sponsoring this post. We can't wait to hit the water this summer!

#SandcastlePGH