adventure

Remember how I told you I never take Asa on dates alone? Well, what do you know, it happened this week. I was invited to take the whole family to the circus on Thursday. Lydia had a fever from Monday to Friday (It got up to 104.5, y’all!) so she couldn’t very well go. But poor Asa who was not sick had been stuck in the house and just chomping at the bits to see the circus. So, I kissed a feverish and very sad little girl good-bye as Asa and I went on our first date!

We were crazy late to all the beforehand bloggy/pr stuff because my husband couldn’t get off work early enough. But we got there just in time for the pre-show! This is an all-access show where you just GO ON THE FLOOR of the circus and interact with the clowns, try on costumes, walk on a tightrope, watch jugglers and more. It was waay cool. Asa was a little freaked by seeing the clowns so close, but when I asked him what his favorite part was he said, “When we got to go DOWN THERE.”

We grabbed a hamburger and fries–which was a real treat for Asa. He may have liked that most of all! Once we were settled in Row L, seats 1 and 2, the friendly  neighborhood spinning light toy salesman stopped by. And when I say he stopped-he STOPPED.

And I was such a sucker, I let Asa pick whatever he wanted.

Oh. My. Is he a pirate, or is he a pirate?

I’ve been to the circus several times the past few years. And every year I’m impressed. This year’s Supercharged show was just as fun. I honestly laughed out loud and gasped with surprise several times. These running, flying, flipping, wheel running Fernandez Brothers might have been my favorite. We were so close I could see his eyebrows lifting and his mouth smile when he landed a jump!

source: feld media {with permission}

These crazy acrobats on Alimgluov’s Big Bike were the most fun for Asa. They were flipping, jumping and sliding all over that bike!

source: feld media {with permission}

Plus there was a human fuse who lit himself on fire and was shot out of a giant crossbow, dancing elephants, tigers, strong men and clowns. Seriously! It was so fun. Plus, I have this romantic idea that working for the circus is kinda like Dumbo or Water for Elephants. I just love being around the whole environment!

So our first Mommy-Son date was a hit. As we walked to the car, Asa said, “I’ve never been on a date before!” I didn’t tell him I’d never let him go on a date with anyone else but me. *wink*

If you’re in Atlanta, the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus will be at Philips until the 2oth and then in Gwinnett from the 23rd-26th! Make it a date with your favorite little person! I heard Zaxby’s has coupons.

disclosure: i was invited to the circus as part of the media.

{ 3 comments }

mommy blogger escape

I get emails almost every day from PR companies. Sometimes they are just telling me about a new product, a contest or offering to send me something for my readers. The other day I got an invite to the Four Seasons. To spend the night. By myself. AND get a spa treatment.

Me: {wildly dialing phone} Les? I just got invited to the Four Seasons. Can I go?

Les: Sure.

Me: It’s just for me. By myself. Not the whole family.

Les: I get it, Amanda.

Me: Just checking.

Ahem.

So, last Friday afternoon I packed a small bag and drove 30 minutes to downtown Atlanta and the Four Seasons Hotel. In my car. Alone.

When I got up to my room (which was lover-stinkin-ly), I realized I left my camera AT HOME. If had not taken me a good 20 minutes to get off of 14th Street, I would have gone back home! Anyway, the next 24 hours were filled with some gorgeous southern hospitality. (<—I feel like that phrase should be capitalized!)

We were greeted by Garth Mamicpic, Spa Director (how’s that for a great job?) and then led into the kitchen. You know, usually, I think of a hotel kitchen as an afterthought. A place for them to throw together some powdered eggs and frozen hamburgers for an overpriced room service.

But this kitchen? It was a bustling KITCHEN complete with Sous Chef Tommy Greer and Executive Chef Robert Gerstenecker. They served us so many delicious appetizers I am kicking myself for no camera (me! the one who chronicles vacations by meals!). We had shrimp cigars, veggie-sushi-wrap-thingies, mini-hamburgers, and who knows what other deliciousness. Then they swept us up to the 5th floor terrace where they have their own organic gardens! They grow basil, tomatoes, potatoes and all kinds of peppers. AND. They have their own beehives.

BEEHIVES! I have a thing for bees. My maiden name means “from the beekeeper’s cottage”. Beekeepers are my people!!

Apparently, the chef thought it would be a good idea to put this big empty terrace to use. They have now started a trend in the hotel business and beehives and gardens are popping up all over the country! How cool is that?!

Finally it was time to mosey down to the dining room of Park 75 and actually EAT some of the happy results of the garden and beehive. For dinner I had lobster ravioli, swordfish on veggies and a chocolate lava cake with homemade pistachio ice cream. Seriously. Amazing. (You can have this same menu all month long!)

After dinner I did something I never ever do: I took a bath. Why? Because they had a spa recipe for me to add to the bath: salts, oil and rose petals.

four seasons spa

photo by AskWifey

I mean how could you NOT take a bath? It was heavenly. I wrapped up in a huge robe, unfurled my squishy blankets and pillows, then went to sleep.

The next morning we woke up to yoga on the terrace (nothing like the sound of Atlanta traffic in your ears as you do downward facing dog!) an absolutely fantastic breakfast that included an omelet, smoothie and honeyed-granola.

table 75

photo by Desi at WeeShare

And then, the moment you have all been waiting for: the spa! It was time for my MASSAGE. Oh, baby. I just think everyone needs a massage. Even once in your life. It is just so so nice. My massage therapist, Joy was fantastic and she was a wealth of information. Plus, she was so strong I was sore the next morning!

There was also a little time for the pool, the steam room and lunch by the pool (in our robes! seriously!). You do want to know what we had for lunch, don’t you? How ’bout veggie wrap with goat cheese, seared tuna, hummus and peach cobber. Oh my, oh my.

And I haven’t even mentioned the other bloggers! I had only met one of them before–how sad is that? We had such a good time pal-ing around and shooting the breeze. We talked about blogging–but we really talked about our kids, our husbands and the last time we got pedicures. It was one of the most low-key and laid-back blogging events I’ve been to. It felt like a real girls night out except we were all tweeting the whole time! {Please get to know the lovely Jennifer from Mami 2 Mommy , Lorraine from Ask Wifey, Desi at Wee Share, Piera, the Jolly Mom, Lisa from Life With Lisa, The Product Review Place and The Brand Ambassador, Stacie from The Divine Miss Mommy and Akilah from Execumama!}

The food, the atmosphere, the spa, the staff, the hospitality of the Four Seasons was absolutely top notch. It was really and truly an escape in the middle of busy downtown Atlanta. And for any of you ATL mamas, they are having a great deal right now:

mommy's day out spa

Maybe you need to forward this post to your hubby? Or better yet, let’s plan a meet-up next week!

The Four Seasons provided me with accommodations, food and spa treatment. They did not ask me to blog about my experience. The opinions are mine.

{ 5 comments }

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

by oh amanda on May 14, 2010

in adventure,atlanta,etsy

mary poppins atlanta

Last night our friends were supposed to come over to babysit the kids. Then my aunt called and invited Lydia to go out to eat. Then our friends couldn’t babysit, so I had to call my dad. But he couldn’t stay all night, so I had to call my sister-in-law. So, in the matter of a few hours, four different people took care of our kids.

And why? So, Les and I could go to the Fox to see Mary Poppins.

*lovely happy delicious sigh*

It was so magically beautiful that I cannot even describe it. Of course, I have loved the movie forever. I’m pretty sure I can say every line from top to bottom. I had never read the PL Traver’s Mary Poppinsas a child—or maybe I started it and it wasn’t like Disney’s version, so I never finished it. A few months ago, Lydia and I listened to the audio book version and I loved it! Mary Poppins is a little crazier in the book (she felt a little Willy Wonka-ish).

The Broadway show combined both the book and the movie to make a beautiful story. The songs were in different orders and locations with new verses and words. The new scenes and characters were totally exciting and showed the fantastical-ness of the book. I wish I could explain the dance numbers and the costumes to you. They were so amazing. I’m sure I looked like a kid just mesmerized by ever step and song! Also. I may or may not have a crush on Gavin Lee who plays Bert.

gavin lee bert mary poppins

There was also tons of cool merchandise to buy–even the iconic umbrella! I’m bummed I didn’t buy anything. But my sisters-in-law are going to see it on Sunday. I think I’m going to ask them to get me the CD and maybe the umbrella ornament. Then, this morning, I hit up etsy to see if anyone had some fun Mary Poppins stuff for me to reminisce over. And as usual etsy delivered…

mary poppins necklace

sweet necklace with illustration from the book. fairtalesbybluebird.

mary poppins kids

mary poppins hair clip. danielatilley.

mary poppins costume

jolly holiday dress for girls. tinkerella. (<—my favorite disney etsy shop ever.)

mary poppins kids

appliqued outfits for girl and doll. pirate and princess.


mary poppins necklace

mary poppins pendant necklace. elloh.


mary poppins gift

mary poppins tea cozy. handmade awards. (are you believin’ that one?!!)

I know, you were hoping this was a paid post so I’d be giving away some free tickets, right? Yeah, me, too. These tickets were a Christmas gift turned birthday present for me! That’s right–I’m going to be as old as Jesus tomorrow!

I am not a Disney employee. The opinions reflected in this post are my own. But if Disney ever wanted to hire me to be their Broadway Blogger…I’d do it in a heartbeat. Just sayin’.

{ 7 comments }

Orange Juice and Puppet Shows

March 12, 2010 adventure

Last week I took the kids to The Center for Puppetry Arts. Yeah, we just went in January, but I can’t help it. It’s fun! This time we saw a really amazing show. It was all shadow puppetry and was performed by only one puppeteer, Hobey Ford. I don’t know if you’ve seen shadow puppets [...]

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Alliance Theatre: Disney’s Mulan (Reason #842 Why I Love Atlanta)

March 6, 2010 adventure

photo by Greg Mooney We went to the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta to see the theatrical version of Disney’s Mulan. And can I just say that it was like every single thing I loved all wrapped up into one? Family time? CHECK. Theatre? CHECK. Musical Theatre? CHECK. Puppetry? CHECK! Cool Kids’ Activities? CHECK. Disney? CHECK. [...]

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A Love Story: Sprinkles Cupcakes in Newport Beach

October 19, 2009 adventure

After saying good-bye to the lovely bloggers at the Nestle event, we departed our Fancy Nancy hotel, loaded the kids up in the rental car and drove down to Newport Beach. Why Newport? Well, my aunt used to have a house in Huntington (which is next door neighbors to Newport).  And because Christy Miller is [...]

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Disney On Ice: Celebrations (& a Discount for the Atlanta show!)

October 15, 2009 adventure

Last night we went to the Phillips Arena in downtown Atlanta to see Disney on Ice! I know what you’re thinking: Disneyland and Disney on Ice in two weeks?! Could I be any more Disney-fied?! (Why, yes I could, actually. Did I tell you I made it to the SECOND round of the Disney Moms [...]

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