Sunday, October 1, 2017

Fish Extenders Gift Ideas

BY The Momgician IN No comments

My family and I went on our first Disney Cruise August 2017. Prior to going on my trip, I researched a lot about how to prepare for our  trip and I kept coming across Fish Extenders Gifts. I wanted learn more about it and then this led to weeks of YouTube videos watching and my creative juices flowing!

Fish Extenders are these small hooks located outside of your cabin door in which mail is placed for ship communications. Of course some savvy person saw this and said they could do more with it and started a great trend which also helps you meet people on your cruise through Fish Extenders Groups.

I joined my Fish Extenders Group via DisBoards. I searched my Cruise ship and sailing date, then asked to join a group. My group only had 7 cabins, including ours. You don't have to buy a gift for everyone but I was over the top for my time and probably gave out too much (my gift packages didn't fit most Fish Extenders).
Don't be like me, less is more and it'll save you extra room in your suitcase and money!

One thing my family and I enjoyed making was my twist on the indoor Olaf snowball fight game. Since our trip was to the Caribbean, it had a Pirates of the Caribbean night at sea party.  This gave me the idea of a Pirates of the Caribbean Cannon Ball Toss game.  This fun, easy and inexpensive to do.

I went to my local craft store and purchased black yarn. It was on sale and costed under $4. I purchased sandwich bags from the dollar store and did a Goggle search for the Pirates of the Caribbean image, wrote Cannon Ball Toss below the image. You can print these on large index cards.   To make the Cannon Balls, I initially wrapped a lot of yarn around my hand, cut the ends, then tied a piece of yarn to the middle of the loose yarn.  Based on the size of the hand, it will determine the size of your cannon ball. To help give it a fuller look,  I wrapped the yarn around CD case. You can get as creative as possible.  Have fun with it and don't forget to share!!!

#disney
#dcl
#disneydream
#disneycruise
#fishextender
#fishextendergifts
#handcraft
#handmade
#themomogician
#momgician
#travelingwithkids
#familyvacation


Saturday, June 10, 2017

Free Things to Do: The Met Teen Pass

BY The Momgician IN No comments

The Met TEEN PASS


Fun and free things for your teens during the summer months and all year long!!!!   The Metprovides an unlimited free admission for teens, called the Teen Pass (download here).  Your teen just needs to show a valid middle or high school ID. This pass can be kept for your teen to  access some of the world’s greatest art, anytime the mood strikes them!

Well, almost anytime—check their hours at www.metmuseum.org. Enjoy your visit!

This Teen Pass may not be used for school and other organized group admissions. 

Friday, June 9, 2017

The Met: Teen Summer Programs

BY The Momgician IN No comments


Teen Summer Programs
 

                         Summer Sketching

(Ages 11-18)
Mon Jul 10–Fri Jul 14
1–3 pm daily


Sketch in the galleries from works of art and experiment with different drawing approaches. To reserve a space, please sign up online. 
 
 
    

Auditions: Young People's Chorus of NYC at Goddard Riverside

BY The Momgician IN No comments

                         
















The Young People’s Chorus of New York City at Goddard Riverside (YPCGR).  invites students to be part of this award-winning choral program that fosters cross-cultural understanding, collaboration, and friendship through music.


We perform at venues throughout the city and provide a close-knit community where children grow as musicians and learn about one another.  We would love to have children from your school join us.

We are holding auditions for our next season! Any rising 3rd through 6th grader who loves to sing is invited to audition, Saturday, June 24th, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Goddard Riverside Community Center’s Bernie Wohl Center - 647 Columbus Avenue; between 91st and 92nd Street.

Thursday, March 9, 2017

Mama Bear & the 5th Grade Bully

BY The Momgician No comments

One morning while dropping off my little cub off at school, he tells me oh mama, there goes that 5th grade that always bullies me.  I'm like WHERE?!?!?!?  I noticed that it was a larger frame young girl and I look at my son and said what do you mean?  He goes on to say, this young girl, along with other 5th graders like to bully other 3rd graders.  The he proceeds to tell me about where on the metaphorical food chain each student in certain grades belongs and "that's just how it goes mama..."  (In a what's wrong with you voice).  He further stated, the 4th graders can't mess with the 3rd graders if the 5th graders are around because they are our bullies....

Of course, me being a Mama Bear (like most of us mothers); I asked my son, do you need me to say something to her.  My son gives me a look as if I said something to him in a foreign language.  So I repeated myself but only louder.  DO YOU NEED ME TO SAY SOMETHING TO HER?  I think my son's eyes almost popped out of his head and he quickly said, NO MAMA!!!!

So I take him out of the car and said, lets go, I'm going to say something to her.  My son, goes into frantic/ embarrassed mode and starts pushing me saying NO MAMA, NO (teeth clenched)!!!!  I'm like, let me go talk to her and he's trying to push me back towards the car and as he ran towards the building.  Then as the two of them are walking into the doorway with each other, I scream out to my son and say "JUST LET MAMA KNOW IF I NEED TO TAKE CARE OF ANYTHING FOR YOU!!!"  My son looks back at me and said OK MAMA.....  As I chuckled at his desire to want to navigate school as a young man and me wanting to protect my little cub but clearly knowing that I won't be there to protect him every step of the way.

I always gauge my children's response to situations and decide from there on how I should pursue any situation.  My son didn't sound as if he was in distress, instead he just wanted to let me know what's going on at school.  I in return wanted my son to know, you have THAT KIND OF MAMA, just in case a situation does arise, I will step up and SPEAK UP!  No if, ands, or buts about it.  No, my intention was not to go fight the little girl, however, if there was or becomes a serious situation at the school, I would be ALL OVER the case and would have everyone involved addressing it ASAP.

Children always want to feel protected and as a parent, I want my children to know that I will give them the autonomy to make a lot of decisions on their own, but when you need me, I won't be too far behind.  Because a Mama Bear always protects her cubs.

Monday, February 27, 2017

Scoring Discounted Disney Parks Merchandise

BY The Momgician No comments

Going to Disney can make any family go broke, especially when you are trying to purchase merchandise from the parks for your little ones, or even for yourself.   If you don't know anything about me, I'm always trying to figure out ways to save a few dollars here and there when it comes to traveling. 
https://www.worldofwalt.com/wp-content/uploads/disney-character-outlet-2014-002.jpgSeveral years ago I discovered and fell in love with the Disney's Character Warehouse Store in Orlando. I've scored discounted Authentic Park magic bands charms, bathing suits, shirts and various souvenirs for family, friends and my colleagues.  As a staple to my vacation, the Disney's Character Warehouse became my go to spot prior to me purchasing anything in the parks.  Here, you can save up to 70% off prior season but authentic park merchandise.  


Over the past few years, I've had the opportunity to travel to every Disney Park in the world (some multiple times).  However, one thing I discovered occurs at these parks outside of the US, you don't have to look for a discount store/ outlet.  That's because you will find sales/ discounted merchandise throughout the parks!  This held true for me in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Paris and Tokyo Disneylands. However, here in the US, Disney does VERY well with selling their items at full price in the parks.  Hey, prior to me going to the Disney's Character Warehouse, I was paying full price as well.


Over the past 4 years, I've traveled to Disneyland 3 times and each time I've learned how to save a little more on each visit (I'll post that on a separate enrty on ways to save at Disney).  On this trip, I stumbled across the  Disney Outlet at the Citadel Outlet in Los Angeles.  They had some great past season merchandise, like this amazing Maleficent sweater which was 50% off the original price of $59.95.  I purchased one for myself and one for my daughter.  She LOVES IT!!!  I like the sweater as well, but it has no pockets, UGH.....
 
They also had several Finding Dory outfits from the 2016 Tina Turk collection.  I didn't jump on that opportunity because even with the discount, an item like the sun hat was still $59.95!!!

Not every visit to these discount outlets will end in you finding that perfect souvenir.  However, if you don't mind past season items, then this is the perfect place for you! 

Disney’s Character Warehouse locations in Orlando:

Orlando Premium Outlet / International Drive
Address: 4951 International Drive, Suite #95, Orlando, FL 32819
Hours: Mon – Sat, 10 AM – 11 PM; Sunday from 10 AM to 9 PM

Store phone number: 407-354-3255

Orlando Premium Outlet / Vineland Avenue
Address: 8200 Vineland Avenue, Suite #1252, Orlando, FL 32821
Hours: Mon – Sat, 10 AM – 11 PM; Sunday from 10 AM to 9 PM

Store phone number: 407-477-0222


Disney Outlet at the Citadel in Los Angeles:

Citadel Outlet Los Angeles
Address: 100 Citadel Drive, Suite #727, Los Angeles, CA 90040
Hours: Mon – Sun, 10 AM to 9 PM

Store phone number: 323- 346-0295
  
Citadel Website: http://www.citadeloutlets.com/store/disney/2137031286 
 
Wishing you Magical Shopping!!!  
 
 
 
#disneyland
#disneyparks
#disney
#disneysavings
#wdw 
#disneyworld #waltdisney #disneygram #cute #disneyside #mickey GetHashtags.com
#disneyworld 
#waltdisney 
#disneygram 
#disneyside 
#mickey
#disneyprincess 
#princess 
#waltdisneyworld 
#instadisney 
#mickeymouse  
#disneyworld #waltdisney #disneygram #cute #disneyside #mickey GetHashtags.com
#disneyworld #waltdisney #disneygram #cute #disneyside #mickey GetHashtags.com
#disneyworld #waltdisney #disneygram #cute #disneyside #mickey GetHashtags.com
#momgician
#themomgician