Anders Ruff Workshop

Pineville and Davidson, NC

Disney Hacks

Stroller Edition

Adventure Air

Rock Hill, SC

Saturday, March 29, 2025

Unforgettable Birthday Parties with Mad Science Charlotte




When our youngest daughter turned 10, it marked the 38th birthday party we’ve hosted between our three kiddos. Over the years, we’ve learned exactly what works for us—fun, educational, entertaining, and hassle-free, all at a reasonable price. Let’s face it, entertaining a bunch of 10-year-olds isn’t for the faint of heart!

So, when we asked our daughter what she and her friends would enjoy for her special day, she had one simple request: “We want to make something fun!” After doing some research and getting feedback from other local parents, we found Mad Science Charlotte.


Not only do I love science (it’s even my career when I’m not exploring Charlotte and beyond), but we’re also passionate about encouraging our kids to explore STEM. From camps to webinars to local science-based activities, we’ve always believed in making science fun and engaging. And what better way to spark scientific curiosity within the next generation than through an unforgettable birthday party experience?


Mad Science Charlotte offers a wide range of STEM-themed birthday parties, after-school programs, camps, and workshops, all designed to engage kids in exciting, hands-on science experiments. The best part? You can fully customize the experience to suit your child's unique interests. Whether you're in Charlotte, Tega Cay, or surrounding areas, Mad Science is just a short trip away—and for a small travel fee, they’ll come to you!

Here's a look at their party packages:
Junior Lab Parties (ages 4-6): $220 for up to 20 kids (60 minutes)

Mad Lab Parties (ages 6-11): $220 for up to 20 kids (60 minutes)

Spa Science Parties (ages 10-14): $270 for up to 10 kids (90 minutes)

These packages cover everything you need—no surprise costs per guest. The flat rate makes planning your guest list a breeze, without the stress of a per-person fee.

Mad Science Charlotte offers themed add-ons to elevate the experience, like Winter Wonder Lab, Ice Princess, Space Explorer, and Spooky Science Party. And if you’re looking for a showstopper finale, you can opt for a rocket launch, cotton candy-making, or even a slime-making extravaganza!


For our daughter’s 10th birthday, we chose the Mad Lab Party—perfect for kids ages 6-11. It included fun science experiments and, of course, slime-making! We also opted for the SLIME-SLIME-SLIME add-on package for just $30, allowing the kids to create three different types of slime.

Our daughter loved picking out her three favorite slimes from a list of options—there were so many to choose from! The Mad Lab Party also offers the option to add a Candy Party, Wizarding Wonder, Ice Princess, Winter Wonder Lab, or Spooky Science themes. Want to take the fun to the next level? Add an upgraded finale like bubbling potions, spin art, rocket launches, or even instant snow take-home kits!


One of the best parts of hosting a Mad Science Charlotte party was the simplicity. The price covers up to 20 children, so we could invite friends and family without worrying about fluctuating costs. And as a busy mom, I truly appreciated how easy the process was.


Once we booked the party, the Mad Science team made sure every detail was taken care of. On the day of the party, we didn’t have to worry about anything. The Mad Science team brought all the materials they needed for the experiments, and we only had to provide tables and water. The weather was perfect for an outdoor celebration, but the team made sure we knew what to do in case we needed to move indoors.

When our mad scientist, Captain Chemistry, arrived, he quickly set up and got the kids excited for the slime-making experience. He took them through the science behind the experiments, explaining lab safety and how polymers work to create slime. The kids were completely captivated!


Each child received starter ingredients for their slime in individual cups. Captain
 Chemistry guided them through lab safety, plus the process of adding colors and activators to create their own custom slime. The energy was contagious, and the kids were grinning from ear to ear as they mixed, squished, and played with their slime.


The kids were full of smiles and giggles as they energetically mixed their slime and called out "I need the activator!" and "Look! My slime is sliming!"


They made three different types of slime—regular slime, marshmallow slime, and snowball slime—and each child took home their creations. 


Our daughter’s favorite was the marshmallow slime, and she couldn’t stop talking about how fun it was. She also loved how engaging and funny Captain Chemistry was.


As a busy mom, this party was the easiest thing I've booked in a while. They checked all the boxes for our 10th birthday party and the kids left with smiles on their faces and slime in hand!



For more information about Mad Science Charlotte and their many offerings in the Charlotte and surrounding areas check them out online here, follow them on Facebook here and on Instagram here. They're currently enrolling for summer camp for Summer 2025 at several locations in the Charlotte area.

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker DIGITAL GIVEAWAY!

Scroll down for info on how to win one of our two digital (non-contact!) codes for STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER on Digital HD! 

Walt Disney Home Entertainment and Lucasfilm is releasing STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER on Digital HD on Tuesday, March 17 and Blu-ray™ on Tuesday, March 31.  

The riveting, inspiring conclusion of the seminal Skywalker saga, electrified audiences around the globe, earning more than a billion dollars worldwide.

STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER (Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment)
Digital 4K Ultra HD™ and Movies Anywhere Release Date: Tuesday, March 17
Blu-ray™ Release Date: Tuesday, March 31
Run Time: 142 Minutes
Over two hours of bonus material includes a feature-length, making-of documentary and behind-the-scenes access to the cast and filmmakers who brought the epic scenes and characters to life
Synopsis: Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Lucasfilm and director J.J. Abrams’ riveting, inspiring conclusion of the seminal Skywalker saga, electrified audiences around the globe, earning more than a billion dollars worldwide. Soon fans can complete their collections when Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker arrives digitally in HD and 4K Ultra HD™ and via Movies Anywhere on March 17, two weeks before it lands physically in 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™ and DVD on March 31.

Bonus material includes a feature-length, making-of documentary, which goes behind the scenes with the cast and filmmakers from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and explores the legacy of the Skywalker saga. Bonus features also dig into the film’s Pasaana desert scenes, including the thrilling landspeeder chase, and the ship in which Rey discovers family secrets as well as a new little droid named D-O. Plus, fans will hear from Warwick Davis, who reprises his role as Wicket the Ewok, as well as the creature effects team that created a record 584 creatures and droids for the film. Digital consumers will receive an exclusive feature highlighting legendary composer John Williams, who has scored every episode in the Skywalker saga.

WIN by "Liking" our Facebook Page, "Following" our Instagram page and commenting on either (or both for double points!) with your favorite Star Wars character. Link below! 

Instagram: 


Thursday, February 13, 2020

Guest Blog "Love Notes to My Body" and Launch Party Invite by Nicole C. Ayers

A huge thank you to our guest blogger Nicole C. Ayers for sharing her journey and generous invitation to the launch party for her three beautiful books. 

Several years ago, I realized I wasn't okay. I was experiencing anxious thoughts and having nightmares, and old wounds I thought I'd buried were showing up in unexpected places.

I made a commitment to myself to make things better. And silly me, I assumed that learning to meditate would do the trick just fine.


Meditation certainly helped, but it wasn't the cure-all I thought it would be. So I went on a journey of self-discovery and realized that I didn't like myself very much, especially my body. When I acknowledged her at all, it was to berate her for her wrongness. She was the wrong size and shape and weight and ability and look . . . and the list went on and on.

I was horrified when I became aware of just how cruel I was to my body. I have two daughters (ages twelve and ten), and I would be heartbroken if they shamed their bodies the way I was shaming mine. But that’s what I was teaching them without even meaning to.

I wanted to change my relationship with my body, and I needed something practical to do.

I've always enjoyed writing notes to people, and writing is how I process my thoughts and feelings. I decided I'd begin to write love notes to my body and all her parts as a daily journaling practice because it's awfully hard to hate something when you're sweet-talking it in a love note.

Over the course of months, I wrote hundreds of love notes to my body parts from my crow's feet to my pinky toe. Sometimes my notes were full of love and gratitude. And sometimes they were full of pain and grief. Anger, even. But they were always a real conversation with my body.

The transformation was liberating. Body parts I'd thought I hated, I now cherished. I appreciated my body in a way I'd never experienced. And while I still struggled to love some of my parts, I was finally able to accept all of them.

One of the best parts of my transformation is the extra energy I now have to experience joy and be creative, energy that used to be spent on trying to make myself fit into society’s definition of “good enough.”'

Of course there are days when that mean little voice cranks up with the nastygrams again, days when I’ve taken an unflattering photo, had a yucky dressing-room experience, or just struggled with my reflection in the bathroom mirror. But those moments are less frequent now, and when that voice shows up, trying to make me feel ashamed of my body, I can usually catch her after just a few minutes and shush her. Because I’ve written so many love notes to my body, it’s the most natural thing to place my hands on my heart and send myself love.

I’ve realized that decades of conditioning around what makes an “ideal” body is going to take time to unlearn. This process to appreciate my body exactly as she is will be a lifelong journey because she will continue to change as I age and experience life.

I love the simplicity of writing love notes to my body, though, because it’s a practice I can revisit whenever and wherever I need to. And it’s a tool that my daughters now have to combat messages that tell them they are anything other than perfect, just as they are. I can’t silence the mean little voices in their minds, but I can teach them how to silence it themselves.

Nicole C. Ayers has been playing with words as long as she can remember. While she's held many jobs in her life, including stints as a server, camp counselor, telemarketer, print shop lackey, bartender, and teacher, editing at Ayers Edits was her favorite, because she combined her love of reading with the fun of wordplay, until she added writer to this list. Now it would be hard to convince her there’s anything better than telling her own stories.

Nicole has written three body-positive companion books (SPARK Publications, February 2020) about her journey to accept and love her body: Love Notes to My Body; Love Letters to My Body: Writing My Way to (Self-)Love; Writing Your Way to (Self-)Love: A Guided Journal to Help You Love Your Body, One Part at a Time. She is available for speaking engagements also.

Nicole lives in South Carolina with her brilliant and brave daughters, her best friend and husband, a goofy dog, a long-suffering tortoise, and the occasional fish.

Contact Nicole at www.nicolecayers.com and connect with her on Instagram at @nicolecayers.

Launch Party Details 
Love Notes Joyous Jubilee
Friday, February 21, 2020
1040 Angelica Lane,
Tega Cay, SC, 29708
7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

What: Join Nicole C. Ayers to celebrate the launch of her three body-positive companion books:

Love Notes to My Body (https://py.pl/42Ery0236tG)

Love Letters to My Body: Writing My Way to (Self-)Love (https://py.pl/aK1Ys)

Writing My Way to (Self-)Love: A Guided Journal to Help You Love Your Body, One Part at a Time (https://py.pl/PUYiA)

Love Notes bundle (https://py.pl/1cyhEc)

Visit nicolecayers.com/writing to learn more about the books. Click on the titles to preorder and pick up at the party.

All are welcome. So grab someone you love and bring them with you.

Enter the giveaways for fantastic prizes, including an original painting and a lunch with author Nicole C. Ayers and illustrator Mica Gadhia. Enjoy desserts and libations. Take selfies at the selfie station. Crawl the art gallery. Write your own love note. Erupt into spontaneous dance. Buy a book bundle. Leave with a special thank-you gift.

Books will be available for purchase separately and in bundles, and Nicole will happily sign them. Original artwork by the talented Mica Gadhia, Love Notes to My Body illustrator, will also be available for purchase.

Feeling philanthropic and want to share this work with women in need? There will be a silent auction as well as opportunities for sponsorships to bring these messages of self-acceptance and love to all women.

Can't make the party but want to connect with Nicole? Follow her on Instagram at @nicolecayers and sign up for her Love Notes newsletter at nicolecayers.com to access “Nicole’s Love Grooves” playlist.

Wednesday, February 5, 2020

Frozen 2 GIVEAWAY - Available on Digital 2/11/20 and Blu-ray™ 2/25/20

Warm the hearts of your adorable Valentines with a copy of Frozen 2 - being released on Digital 2/11/20, and after Valentine's Day on Blu-Ray™ on 2/25/20.


Mom About Charlotte is doing a giveaway for Digital copies of Frozen 2! Our winner will be drawn on 2/13 - just in time to include this Disney fairytale alongside the chocolate hearts and cards for your sweethearts.

To enter simply comment on our social media with your kid's favorite character from Frozen 2, and why they melt their hearts.
1. On our blog below
2. On our Facebook page:
3. On our Instagram:

Here is  more info about the Frozen 2 release!


FROZEN 2 (Walt Disney Animation Studios)
Digital 4K Ultra HD™ and Movies Anywhere Release Date: Tuesday, February 11th
Blu-ray™ Release Date: Tuesday, February 25th
Run Time: 103 Minutes
Bonus features include a sing-along version of the film plus exclusive content, including outtakes, deleted scenes and songs, and much more! 
Synopsis: Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2” has melted hearts around the world, becoming the No. 1 animated feature of all time. Just in time for Valentine’s Day,  the follow-up to 2013’s hit Oscar®-winning Best Animated Feature, “Frozen,” comes home, with a sing-along version and all-new extras. “Frozen 2” bonus features include deleted scenes, deleted songs, Easter eggs, outtakes and a sing-along version with lyrics to the film’s forever-infectious songs. Extras invite viewers to go behind-the-scenes to hear personal, making-of stories from the “Frozen 2” cast and crew. Fans who bring the film home early on Digital will receive two exclusive extras: an interview with songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, who won an Oscar® for Best Original Song (“Let It Go,” 2014) and wrote seven original songs for “Frozen 2,” and a deleted song titled “Unmeltable Me.”

Sunday, January 12, 2020

WIN - Digital HD Download Code for Maleficent: Mistress of Evil - NOW available on digital (12/31) and Blue-ray™ 1/14/20



Maleficent: Mistress of Evil is the thrilling sequel to 2014's "Maleficent," starring Angelina Jolie as Maleficent and Elle Fanning as her goddaughter Aurora. Enjoy brand-new bonus features, extended scenes, outtakes and exclusive extras for Digital consumers. 

                                          

Ring in the new year with Disney's most iconic villain: "Maleficent: Mistress of Evil" which soared to No. 1 worldwide opening weekend and earned an A CinemaScore and a 95% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Now released on Digital in HD and 4K Ultra HD

Go beyond the fairytale with the bonus features highlighting the film's stunning visuals and all-star cast along with extended scenes, outtakes and a digital exclusive! 

Enter to WIN a Digital HD Download code on MomAboutCharlotte.com by sharing YOUR favorite picture of your family as the evil mistress herself! You can dress up, use a filter - your imagination is the limit :) Each photo on our social media will count as an entry! Winner to be randomly drawn on 1/22/20! 

Facebook: 
Instagram: 

Saturday, December 28, 2019

Monster Jam 2020 January 10th and 11th - Discount CODE & GIVEAWAY

Monster Jam® RETURNS to Charlotte, NC for an action-packed weekend of FULL THROTTLE family fun!


Check out as eight skilled Monster Jam® athletes battle for the championship with each Triple Threat Series competitor tearing up the dirt in customized high-powered vehicles: Monster Jam Speedsters, Monster Jam ATV's and of course the Iconic Monster Jam trucks. They will go head-to-head for points in Freestyle, 2 Wheel Skills Challenge and several Racing competitions - testing their agility, speed and versatility. Newly added as a special fan bonus during Freestyle, Monster Jam driver will attempt Charlotte's FIRST-EVER indoor arena Monster Jam truck BACK FLIP! Plus fans in every city can become part of the action by voting for the winner in the 2-Wheel Skills Challenge and Freestyle competitions via real-time, in-arena fan voting on their smartphones. 

Find more info at https://www.monsterjam.com/ 

PROMOTIONAL CODE!
Buy tickets for 20% off when you use code CHARBLOG online with Ticketmaster. 

http://www.spectrumcentercharlotte.com/

Good for Friday 7pm, Saturday 1pm and Saturday 7pm. Discount applicable in lower level seating in price levels 6-11.
Not valid on group or previously purchased tickets, additional fees may apply.

GIVEAWAY - WIN 4 tickets by commenting with your kids favorite Monster Truck. One point per comment on our Instagram, Facebook and Blog. 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/B682JeVJRpT/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MomAboutCharlotte/posts/2242272905874440:0

Monday, March 25, 2019

Enchanted Fairytale Parties - Princess and Character Experiences

My littlest princess just turned four this month. I asked her how she wanted to spend her birthday and she said by being dressed as a princess, riding a unicorn, on a rainbow! Yes- this is four, and I'm soaking up every last minute of this magical, pink and glittery taffeta speck in time.


Since booking a unicorn on a rainbow was just out of the realm of possibilities, we figured that we could knock this LAST 4th birthday party out of the park by inviting one of the perfectly princess talents from Enchanted Fairytale Parties in Charlotte (and Miami, FL) to celebrate our littlest big girl.

Her favorite princess is Ariel, because she's a feisty red head just like her! Booking Ariel through Enchanted Fairytale Parties was a breeze!  We got to select her outfit - traditional princess dress or fin and shell top. When she arrived the look on all the four year old's faces were PRICELESS!


Ariel greeted the birthday girl and her guests and led them in a sing-along of her most famous song.

Next she invited all our guests to join her in how mermaids in Atlantica celebrate birthdays, with dancing, games, reading books - and a conga line!


After all the fun, was more fun as we sang Happy Birthday and bid farewell to Ariel as she swam back to sing with her sisters under the sea.


In addition to princesses Enchanted Fairytale Parties also offers characters, unicorns, traditional mermaids and more. Check out their Instagram here, Facebook here and visit them online and book your party here. Pricing starts at $150 for a party.
 

Friday, March 15, 2019

Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood - Live - King for a Day






Raising three toddlers has placed me center-stage to the very real, very BIG feelings tiny humans experience. Engaging children in shows and story lines that model different ways to handle these big emotions is why Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood has been a staple in our house. My kids connect with Daniel Tiger and his friends and watch and learn as each episode helps kids to better understand their own feelings and the feelings of their friends and loved ones.

When I told my three-year-old that Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood Live - King for a Day, was coming to Charlotte at Oven's Auditorium on Sunday April 7th - her eyes lit up with excitement! She promptly asked if he would pick her up on his own red trolley or if we would need to buy a ticket for the green one she had seen uptown. The imagination of a three-year-old is endless and inquisitive - this is why she is going to love it when Daniel Tiger and his friends from the Neighborhood of Make Believe come to life before her eyes on stage.

Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood Live - King for a day is an energetic, colorful musical that will have you and your kiddos dancing, singing and excited to be their neighbor (even if it's just for a day!) The ugga mugga's won't be in short supply as your children enjoy the positive energy and messages Daniel Tiger and his friends share. You can catch one of their two shows on Sunday April 7th at 2PM or 5:30 PM. Tickets start at $25.75 plus applicable service fees. Grab your kids and their favorite red jacket and guarantee your seats now by booking tickets here: https://www.ticketmaster.com/daniel-tigers-neighborhood-tickets/artist/2121748?venueId=368656



Sunday, January 6, 2019

Marvel Universe Live!


Superheroes rocket into Charlotte for an unforgettable mash up of strength, skills and excitement at the Spectrum Center January 25th - 27th. 

We will be doing a giveaway of 4 tickets to the show for a lucky winner! Hop over to our Instagram AND Facebook page. Comment with your favorite Superhero or Superheroine AND tag a local friend!



Charlotte – Spectrum Center
Friday, January 25th 7pm
Saturday, January 26th 11am and 7pm
Sunday, January 27th 1pm and 5pm

** Doors open one hour prior to show time.
You must have a ticket if you’ve reached your second birthday


Buy 4 tickets for only $72 when you use code MULFAM19 online with Ticketmaster or over the phone.


Good for Friday 7pm, Saturday 11am, 3pm, and 7pm, and Sunday 1pm and 5pm. Not valid on front row or gold circle seating. Not valid on group or previously purchased tickets. Not valid day of show. Additional fees may apply. 

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Awesome Adventure Air Sports in Rock Hill, SC

My family has been obsessed with Ultimate Beastmaster on TV. If your family hasn't been rooting for the super-hero like competitors from your couch - it's a silly, high energy show.

When we saw the ninja obstacle course that Adventure Air Sports in Rock Hill opened, each member of our family wanted to give it a try. From littlest bits to Dad, they all got a chance to test out their own ninja skills on the obstacles. This obstacle course is legit! My husband was able to make it through the first portion but the upper body strength required for the rest was beyond everyone's ability. We got lots of laughs and some cute photos.



In addition to their killer ninja obstacle course, they also have a TON of trampoline options and So. Many. Foam. Pits. My kids loved the trapeze, zip line, and battle area. I enjoyed going toe-to-toe with my husband over the foam pits. Our 3 year old was getting down to the beats while bouncing all around. They also offer a SUPER tramp - a trampoline with a lot more give for daredevils. 



On weekends Adventure Air Sports hosts Glow nights, specially themed for teens and tweens. They host birthdays, date nights and company events. This is without a doubt my favorite trampoline park we've been to. It was fresh, clean, new and so much fun!






Adventure Air Sports is located in Rock Hill on Cherry Road. You can follow them on their Facebook page and even purchase Holiday Jump Packages on their website.

Thursday, September 20, 2018

{Win} 4 Tickets to Disney On Ice

Win 4 tickets for the show on Thursday, September 27th at 6:30pm. Comment on the blog and comment on our Facebook post with your favorite character to be entered to win!

Disney on Ice comes to the Spectrum Center in Charlotte September 27th- September 30th 2018

Get ready to enter a dazzling world of Disney magic, live on ice where Lightning McQueen, Mater and the crew of Disney Pixar’s Cars perform high-speed stunts and race across the ice like you’ve never seen before! 

Be amazed and join Ariel as she dives into the underwater kingdom of Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Jessie and other favorites from the Toy Story gang as they try and escape from Sunnyside Daycare in one of their most daring adventure ever from Disney Pixar’s Toy Story 3 – proving that the toys are back in town! Plus, enter the wintery world of Arendelle with sisters Anna and Elsa from the BAFTA and Academy Award® winning and number one animated feature film of all time, Disney’s Frozen. 

Join Anna as she embarks on an epic journey with the hilarious snowman Olaf and rugged mountain-man Kristoff to find her sister, the magical Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. From wheels to waves, icy wonderlands to infinity and beyond, see some of your family’s favorite Disney moments come to life at Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Enchantment.

To purchase tickets and make sure you’ll be part of the fun please purchase your tickets through this link so we get credit and can continue to offer giveaways like this! 

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

FREE Admission for kids to the Carolina Renaissance Festival in Huntersville, NC

Time travel to the Carolina Renaissance Festival where history comes alive with non-stop day-long entertainments, arts and crafts, games and rides, jousting knights on horseback, feasting and so much more! Each day inside the 25 acre Village of Fairhaven is filled with an abundance of attractions and entertainments for all ages. Enjoy your best day out in history 8 consecutive weekends, September 30th - November 19th. Details online at Carolina.RenFestInfo.com



My readers get to save with your visit! FREE Child Admission! - Receive one FREE child admission for children age 5 - 12 with purchase of one full price adult ticket at Festival gate. Children under 5 are always free. Coupon is valid at the Festival ticket booth! 

http://usfamilycoupons.com/coupon.php?regionid=75&bid=12185&dealid=2026 @usfg

Saturday, July 14, 2018

Backyard Fun: Water Gun Paint Battles

We're deep into summer vacation 2018 at home with the kids, and I was in need of inspiration for some fun (cheap) memory making experiences. 

I stood in my local Michael's craft store reading and contemplating the FUN versus MESS factor of their new product Goblies. Washable paint for water guns. I've always wanted to go to a paint gun range - but the potential welts from high powered guns had always turned me off. I'd never seen a product like this for family fun.


The idea of a water gun paint battle in our backyard sounded like SO much summer fun -  but I've been known to drink the Koolaid when it comes to ideas that SOUND fun but end up being a hot mess. Would everything get stained? Who would get hurt? Would we all look like a bad tie-dye incident for the rest of the summer?


I hesitantly put a few colors into my cart. They were on the best sale that I'd seen (under $5 each) and it seemed like a great way to celebrate my son's summer birthday with the family. We swung by the dollar tree and picked up squirt guns 3 for $1. I also bought a giant syringe to help load the guns with paint.


We set up teams and invited everyone to wear shirts that were ok to be destroyed, in case the washable claims didn't play out. Armed with our paint filled guns, an array of sunglasses to provide some eye protection, music, paper towels, towels and a hose to wash off any collateral damage we headed outside for a battle of fun!


It was an awesome experience. Everyone got covered in colors and luckily everything that the paint touched washed off easily, including my stamped concrete patio, patio chairs, play house and water table. After a soapy shower the color came easily off of our skin as well.

This isn't a sponsored or paid ad, just something my family enjoyed. As always, I only share what I love - and the price point, happy shrieks and smiles from everyone was a win-win for this experience. 




Tuesday, July 10, 2018

My Brighter, Whiter Summer Smile

Mommy hood has blessed me with many hours of cuddles and laughs - but it hasn't allocated me a whole lot of mommy maintenance time. If we've met, one of the first things you'll probably notice is that I smile a lot - so giving myself a whiter brighter smile has been on my to-do list for months now.

As I investigated my whitening options I was running into roadblocks. The dentist required several hours during the middle of the work week coupled by a hefty price tag. I was barely fitting in work, dinner and quality time with the kids as we shuffled from soccer to t-ball.

Store-bought strips had only offered mild whitening improvement in the past, plus my teeth were so sensitive after use. I needed something to help me combat tooth staining from my lifeblood intake of  coffee and occasional glass of red wine. I needed an at-home, budget friendly, sensitive teeth system. The future of my smile was looking dim (and stained).  

Luckily, I discovered Smile Brilliant. Smile Brilliant provides an at-home whitening system that can address staining and sensitive teeth. Their system is sold in tiers - offering something for everyone including products for light, average and heavy staining. The price point was affordable, ranging from $139-$189 total! 
The box arrived with everything I needed to restore my brighter, whiter summer smile - with easy to use step-by-step instructions. I mixed the base and catalyst clays together to make my impressions, and waited 5 minutes for the mold to harden! The entire process from opening, reading instructions and impressions took about 20-30 minutes. 

It was an easy process, and I was able to email Smile Brilliant a picture of my molds to ensure they were done correctly before shipping them back in the pre-paid envelope. 

I received an email that my top impression needed to be re-done and the next day I did the top impression again, confirmed it was correct and popped them in the mail. 
About a week and a half later my whitening trays arrived and I was ready to whiten! I did 3 treatments in 2 weeks for 75 minutes each as I watched TV with my husband. 

I noticed a remarkable difference and only used a tiny bit of the whitening and desensitizing gel that was included. My pearly whites were significantly whiter and I didn't experience the tooth sensitivity like I have in the past. Honestly I feel like the pictures don't really do the difference justice. I'm very pleased with my results and have more gels to continue touching up throughout the year. 

After reaching out to Smile Brilliant I was asked to participate in a review, so I received the system at no cost. As always with my blog, I only share what I love - and I feel that you will be just as happy with your whitening results as I am. Plus - if you're not - they offer a 100% money back guarantee. I love a company that stands behind the quality of their products.

Send me any questions you have and check out Smile Brilliant's systems and reviews online!
Tooth Whitening Gel

Monday, February 19, 2018

Taking the Nightmare out of Dinner with Dream Dinners in Fort Mill

Make sure you check out the awesome deal at the bottom of this blog and join me for fun night!

If you're a mom like me, with kids like mine you're all too familiar with the stress and time suck that getting dinner on the table each night creates.

It's my least favorite time of day - trying to figure out what to make, prepping and cooking while answering questions, breaking up squabbles and staving off the pleas of near-death-hunger from the kids as they beg for a snack.

"It's ALMOST done guys!" I lie through my teeth as I start thawing the chicken. There has got to be an easier, healthy way that doesn't include going out to dinner or drive-thru food - and there is.

Recently I was invited to Dream Dinners in Fort Mill where Suzanne and staff showed me how to wake up from my nightmare-like dinner rut, and start dreaming with their easy wholesome, tasty meal prep. Dream Dinner's mission is to bring families back together around the dinner table, so they can connect and enjoy dinner time together.


The process is easy. Order your meals online in 3 or 6 serving increments from the monthly meals list - I had a hard time choosing from all the tasty sounding dishes! Stop by the store and put all your meals together in freezer bags or baking pans to place in your freezer. The night before your dinner pop the meal in the fridge, arrive home to fire up the oven or stove and follow their easy cooking instructions, dinner's ready and delicious in 20-40 minutes.


Here are the recipe cards you'll receive when you arrive, they are in either 3 serving or 6 serving allotments.

Next, you work your way around the prep kitchen - note there is ZERO chopping, slicing or frustration. Follow the color coded list on the recipe. You'll have both pre-measured ingredients and ingredients you use the color coded measuring tools to place into your bag.


Load up all your bags with their simple cooking instructions, pop them in the freezer - and you're DONE. Y'all - I felt accomplished. I prepped 5 meals in less than 30 minutes. What will I do with all that extra pre-dinner time?!


As I moved from station to station they offered tastes from next month's menu (this one was Chicken Parmesan), plus ooey-gooey fresh baked cookies and coffee. These are my people.

If you're short on time they also offer a freezer full of grab and go meals and sides so you can skip the high price tag of dining out and enjoy a wholesome, home cooked meal together.

Here is my Facebook Live video with more info about Dream Dinners. Intro Video with tour of facility.

If you want to see how I prepped the meal here is a time lapse of putting together one of their dishes

Do you want make your dinner routine more dreamy for a great price?

Join me for a Mom About Charlotte Night Out at Dream Dinners Fort Mill located across from Baxter 1646 Highway 160 West Fort Mill, SC 29708 on Tuesday, March 6th 2018 5:30PM-7:30PM.

Choose three, 3-serving meals from this menu below for only $34.99. It's a fun way to meal prep for a great price. Space is limited so be sure to sign up today!
Sign up here for our night out:   https://dreamdinners.com/taste/746148
Password: Momaboutcharlotte
You will still be eligible for the 18 serving introductory offer at a later date if you participate in our Mom About Charlotte Night Out. 

If you can't make it to our event in March you can take advantage of their introductory offer for March by calling them at 803-548-7833 or sign up online. You'll get 18 servings total, of 3 to 6 of their meals offered on their March menu for $84.95.