Final Four Fun for the Family in Dallas

Our family may be close to the action of the big game over at Jerry's World, but there's a lot more happening at Final Four than just a game that the whole family can get excited about. Here's a couple of big things you can do with the kids to celebrate (even if you can't afford the tickets to AT&T Stadium. 

Dribble
Sunday, April 6
11:30 - Dribble begin
FREE

Kids (18 and under) are invited to dribble through downtown Dallas from Dallas City Hall Plaza to Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center on Sunday morning and will receive a free commemorative Final Four basketball, t-shirt, and an entry into Bracket Town!
To register: https://2014ncaamffd.theregistrationsystem.com/en/1824

Bracket Town
Friday Noon - 8pm/Saturday, 10am - 7pm/Sunday, Noon - 8pm/ Monday, Noon - 7pm
Kay Bailey Hutchinson Center - Halls A-D
Tickets: $10 for adults and $5 for kids. Free for kids 2 and under. 

The ultimate Final Four fun fest, KBHC turns into 350,000 sq ft of family-friendly activities. You'll have a chance to meet legendary coaches, former athletes and a free concert by Fifth Harmony. Get more info on the website.

AT&T Block Party, Coke Zero Countdown Concert and Capital One JamFest
All weekend
Free

A free concert with Tim McGraw and Bruce Springsteen doesn't need much explaining, but might be something fun to do if you have older kids. With so much going on I wouldn't suggest a stroller child, but this event might be fun as an experience with the big ones. Get the full line of these activities on the website. 

Family Movie Night Happens With Netflix {Spon}

Try-it Tuesdays:

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of NETFLIX. However, all the comments here are my own.

When I was a kid I waited all week long until Saturday mornings so I could get my cartoon fix.

Now fast forward to today: my kids never have to wait for cartoons to come on one day away because NETFLIX gives them the accessibility to watch what they want, when they want. All mama has to do is turn them on whatever device makes sense like my iPad, computer and of course, the TV. Gotta love streaming video, right? All I have to do is hit up the dedicated kids section (designed by Common Sense Media for kids ages 2- 12) on NETFLIX and press play.

Happy kids means a happy mama.

In the mornings to get the kids ready for school they request always ask for Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Road Rally. When they get home and we have snack time, it's always a little Jake and the Never Land Pirates for both of little sweeties. The four-year-old boy dominates the watching choices for both of them - at least until the 20-month girl can talk. And then it's all over! Until then she seems to enjoy Cars Toons: Mater’s Tall Takes although her brother "lets her watch" Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue - even though I know he secretly likes it, too!

But the favorite show of both of them is without a doubt Thomas & Friends: Go Go Thomas. We are definitely a "Thomas" family since everything from my son's room, all his toys, even his lunch box are all Thomas. So no doubt we treat Thomas like a special occasion everytime we watch it. His presence on the screen is like Friday night at the movies. And until my kids get a little older, Netflix makes it possible to have Family Movie Night without paying an arm and a leg. And of course, begin the movie at 6 pm so we can still make bedtime AND bathroom breaks WITHOUT missing the movie! 

What are you watching on TV with your family? Netflix has family favorites from Disney, Disney Jr., Hasbro, Cartoon Network and Dreamworks that are available to stream anytime, anywhere.

And streaming is easier than you think! Download the free app on your iPad, click on the Netflix app on any gaming device, go to the website on your computer – and you’re in business. Check it out here!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of NETFLIX.

This article also posted on Star-Telegram.com/Moms.

Announce Your Sweetest Day with Minted

Sharing Saturdays:

On Valentine's Day I took a trip down my memory lane by looking at my wedding pictures. While I loved everything about my Mexican nuptials from start to finish, I realized that my destination wedding didn't give me the chance to experience some of the basics of the whole wedding experience like cake tastings, wedding invitations and even a "real wedding dress." 

This wedding invite says it all and that the couple's fun side. (All photos courtesy of minted.com.)

But nowadays with the invent of Pinterest, the concept of a "traditional wedding" is totally out the door for more creative, personal and inventive ideas, especially when it comes to wedding invitations and guest favors. 

We'll move over birds, bells, and big books of samples, brides-to-be are looking to stand out with unique invites that make an impression and on their own time. Minted, an online store for independent graphic artists to showcase their artistic invitation and announcement designs. While there are several classic selections, there are many options to portray the personalities of the brides and grooms. 

Since I'm a dork for beautiful paper and designs, I had to take a peek at what  "invitation" I would have chosen now if I had more of a typical wedding format then. (But let's be honest, there's nothing typical about my wedding.)

Since we had a destination wedding, I loved this Destination Wedding "luggage tag" with the map.

Love, love, love Faraway Destination one with the postcard stamp!

Of course, I'd like this Mexican folk art design that already had
"Puerto Vallarta" on the sample. 

 

There's something about this twine design that just captured
our personalities with a sophisticated retro look. 

Best of all, you can choose the design, paper choice, coordinating RSVP cards, envelopes, thank you notes and more and at reasonable prices. And when the wedding is all over with and you're ready to start planning for the birth of your first child and then later their  birthday, minted is ready to help you make the choice that is perfect for you and your special day.  

***

DISCLAIMER: I received one or more of the mentioned products for the sole purpose of this review. No other compensating was given and all opinions expressed are 100 percent my own. (Accordance with FTC's 16 CFR Part 255, "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.")

Going Topless at My Wedding

If you look at past posts, I'm all about talking about my kiddos - but I don't always talk about my husband. I guess I feel that part of my life is personal, so while I blog about some pretty embarrassing things on mamachallenge.com, stories about our relationship has been off-limits...until now. 

I have planned some pretty awesome events at some really cool places like AT&T Pebble Beach, The Academy Awards and the Miss USA Pageant. So when it came to planning my own wedding, I either wanted to go royal wedding or very intimate. Money helped me make the choice, so seven of our family/friends flew to Puerto Vallarta for a vacation/wedding. 

It was the perfect choice for us.  We did everything we ever wanted to do for our family;  from massages on the beach, golf by the ocean (with the alligators), tequila tour and of course, our very no-nonsense wedding ceremony (at least it was supposed to be.) 

Taking place around sunset on the beach, facing the ocean, barefoot in the sand and sunglasses on the face. With our wedding party standing behind us, the preacher started the vows to becoming man and wife. It was the incredible moment where you look at each other and realize the intensity of what you are about to do and how your life will change in just a few minutes. 

About 10 minutes into the ceremony...somewhere between "Will You...Yes," I saw my betrowed (and the rest of our family) all turn their heads to something on the beach behind the preacher. 

O.M.G. 

A woman, who of course wasn't so ugly [read: hot], dared to walk right by my wedding ceremony - TOPLESS! Yes, she did. Even the photographer turned his head AND took a photo, although it somehow didn't end up in the wedding shots! 

(No, I don't have a photo of this so don't ask.)

I was a little upset to say the least at the time since the ceremony itself was only about 20 minutes long and she took up about a minute of it, but now, seven years later, it IS pretty funny. Only that would happen to me!

Humor is what made me fall in love with my husband, so this little moment was only fitting. While there are MANY days I'm not laughing, it's moments like these that remind me that laughing is the best medicine to dealing with the hard challenges we face everyday (especially if it's paired with bubbly!) 

On this Valentine's Day, I hope you have great stories to remember and make your smile. I'd love to hear them if you want to share!