{Giveaway} Jurassic Quest in Charlotte

Gigantic animatronic dinosaurs have been spotted migrating toward Charlotte, NC for Jurassic Quest at the Park Expo and Conference Center on Saturday, October 1st and Sunday, October 2nd.

This is a special chance to get the dino-lover in your family up close and personal, interacting with these life-sized creatures. Sharing time at school just got WAY cooler when your kiddo recounts that your family journeyed to the Jurassic and rode a dinosaur over the weekend! 

Along with the dinosaur exhibit, families can explore the fossil digs, inflatables, Jurassic Jeeps, bungees, crafts, dino theater, science stations and more! Kids 2-12 are $20 for a regular ticket and $29 for a V.I.P ticket. Under 2 are free and adults are $25. Military and law enforcement families receive a $5 discount on each ticket. The V.I.P ticket is the best value, and you know your kids will want to experience everything there! **Socks are required for ALL inflatables!**

You can purchase tickets by clicking here, and follow Jurassic Quest on Facebook here. 

{Giveaway}

We're doing a giveaway of 4 tickets for Jurassic Quest. 

1. Like MomAboutCharlotte on Facebook. 

2. Share this Facebook post publicly (change privacy setting for the share to public) 

3. Comment on this Facebook post with your kiddo's favorite dinosaur

We will pick our winner randomly on September 23rd! 

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{Giveaway} TobyMac Hits Deep Tour

TIME WARNER CABLE ARENA | FEBRUARY 20

TOBYMAC HITS DEEP TOUR

Known for his dynamic live show, six-time GRAMMY® winner TOBYMAC and K-LOVE/AIR1 are presenting the talent-packed, multi-artist HITS DEEP TOUR. Leading the nationwide run alongside his DiverseCity Band, the multi-platinum selling artist will be joined by Britt Nicole, Colton Dixon, Building 429, Capital Kings, Finding Favour and Hollyn, promising a night of non-stop hit songs. 

The tour’s theme and multi-artist package will undoubtedly make for some special moments on stage. “This tour is going to be exactly what most people want to see when they go to a concert – a show where you know every song,” said TobyMac. “Big hits that hit deep! Not just hits because they are sonically a good listen, but because they’ve spoken deeply to our souls. 

These artists are all headliners in their own right, but we’ve come together to serve up the hits that have become a part of people’s lives.”

Tickets are on sale now - click here!

Win 2 tickets to the show on 2/20/16 at 7PM at the Time Warner Cable Arena by sharing this post on Facebook publicly (click on that link, you'll need to make sure you change the privacy setting to public so I can see that you've shared) and by tagging 2 friends in the post on Facebook who you think love TobyMac! One entry per share/tag per day. Winner randomly drawn on 2/18. 

Good luck!

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{Giveaway} Wild Kratts LIVE at Ovens Auditorium

PBS's two wildest brothers - the Wild Kratts will be performing their LIVE show at Oven's Auditorium on Saturday, February 13th at 1PM and 4:30PM. They're bringing their animated show to real life, you can join them while they protect animals of the creature world, and share animal facts with the audience. It's going to be a wild adventure! Tickets are available here.

You can win tickets by following MomAboutCharlotte on Instagram and commenting on this post with what type wild of animal your kids are most like. Mine are totally howler monkeys. so. darn. loud. I'll draw a winner on February 8th.

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Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus Xtreme

We took the kids out for a fun night at the  Ringling Brother and Barnum & Bailey Circus Xtreme at the Time Warner Cable Arena Jan 27-31st. Tickets still available on Ticketmaster.

They danced along with the music and marveled at the performers gravity defying feats. 

In addition to the thrills, the circus is also, beautiful and captures your imagination with colors fabrics and unique motion.

The majestic animals are my children's favorite part of the circus. 

Every time we go there is a new exciting act and a new part of the show that amazes and exceeds expectations. 

Even our littlest circus goer was enthralled with the event!

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I'm with Cupid ==>

My wonderful girlfriend Melissa and her sweet hubby Tyler will be stripping down to their skivvies in the freakin freezing cold this February to raise money in "Cupid's Undie Run" so kids like Sophia, their daughter's good friend, can grow up happy and healthy. 

Sophia was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis (NF1) in February 2014. At the beginning, her family was often asked how they knew that something was wrong. They didn’t. Sophia is the perfect end piece to the family's three stepping stone children who all live in Mint Hill, NC. The littlest of the children, Sophie is wild and in to everything, full of energy and smiles and giggles from sun up to long past bedtime. As far as her parents were concerned she was doing just as well as her brothers developmentally and they had absolutely no concerns about her future. Since her diagnosis, all they know is that her future is uncertain.  

Sophia’s journey is just beginning. Many trips to the doctor, although important, have been scary for Sophia and her family. All of these doctor visits leave them with uncertainty and without answers. For her family a diagnosis of Neurofibromatosis means a future that is clouded with doubt and worry.  

NO CHILD SHOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS and we cannot stop until there is a cure for NF so that kids like Sophie can stop being afraid and her family can live a day without worry. 

You can help by donating or joining our team of undie-clad runners. Your donation will provide critical funding that will allow for treatments, clinical trials and ultimately will fund the research to find a cure for NF. 

Donate to support Sophia and kids like her here.

https://my.cupids.org/MelissaMiller

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{Giveaway} LEGO KidsFest Comes to Charlotte, NC

It's time to get excited kids, moms and dads! Those tiny colorful bricks that ignite imaginations are headed to Charlotte in the biggest, most LEGO-ist way possible! When I was a kid my siblings and I spent HOURS constructing and playing in our LEGO worlds. Now as a mom, my seven-year-old daughter and I love spending time creating and building LEGO projects together. My three-year-old son is just starting his experiences building with LEGOS, and is particularly fond of making cars and then smashing them. Boys.. ;). So I'm just as excited as they are to check out this one-of-a-kind LEGO experience that's rolling into the Queen City February 19th - 21st, 2016. Don't be left out of this awesome event, tickets have sold out in other cities -  pick up tickets now by clicking here .  Want more details about LEGO KidsFest click here. 

Now for the {Giveaway} Info - our winner is Paige Gallelli! I encourage you to LIKE and Follow LEGOKidsFest on Facebook, Twitter and/or Instagram for all the latest ticketing updates as this event has been selling out in prior cities. Must be 18 to enter, 1 entry per day allowed, random drawing by USFG! Winner will be randomly chosen by USFG on Tues Jan 15 and announced on my Blog and notified via email. 

The LEGO KidsFest national tour stops at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, NC, from February 19 - 21, 2016, for the very first time, bringing all of the creative hands-on, minds-on fun of LEGO building and experiences together in this three acre activity- and entertainment-packed family event. 

LEGO KidsFest is for children of all ages and builders of all skills and interests. 
Among the many LEGO attractions, families will find: 

* LEGO Model Museum: life-sized models made entirely from LEGO bricks 
* LEGO Master Builders: live demonstrations and activities from the crew who get paid to play 
* Race Ramps: build a custom car, then race it down the ramp against friends and family  
* LEGO Star Wars: build and display a Star Wars model
* LEGO Disney Princess: create a princess scene to add to a LEGO story book 
* LEGO Super Heroes: pose with a life-sized Spiderman model and more
* LEGO DUPLO: younger visitors can explore imagination through building
* LEGO Retail: purchase LEGO merchandise and official KidsFest tour goods
* LEGO Friends: build for the five empowered friends from Heartlake City 
* LEGO Ninjago: spin the way to being a Spinjitzu member 
* LEGO Mindstorms: build and program robots and snakes 
* LEGO Technic: get hands-on with the cool, realistic vehicles at the booth
* Creation Nation: build your own creation to add to a custom map of the U.S. 
* Brick Pile: a gigantic pile full of LEGO bricks for creative play and enjoyment
* Monochromatic Builds: bricks of a single color foster group creativity

"Our 2016 LEGO KidsFest tour is going to delight both new and returning audiences," said Vince Rubino, Events Manager for LEGO Systems, Inc. "We've still got some favorites on the show floor, like the Big Brick Pile, Creation Nation and the Race Ramps. There are also many new and unique activities designed for building, learning and fun." 
Five sessions - all identical and 4 1/2 half hours in length - are held at each tour stop. LEGO KidsFest tickets can be purchased at www.LEGOkidsfest.com. Tickets are $19 for the Friday and Sunday afternoon sessions, and $22 for both sessions on Saturday and the Sunday morning session.
On tour since 2009, previous LEGO KidsFest tour stops have included major cities such as Chicago, Boston, Dallas, Atlanta, San Jose, Cleveland, Richmond, Phoenix, Portland and more.

LEGO KidsFest North Carolina: February 19 - 21, 2016
Three Acres of Hands-On Educational Fun for All Ages

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Ballantyne Hotel's Gingerbread Lane

For 2015: Open for public viewing daily, at no fee December 10-27, 2015, open during hotel hours. Inquire at 704 248 4055. 

https://www.theballantynehotel.com/upcoming-events/

Our gingerbread house kits at home don't hold a candle to the gingerbread inspired works of art that line Ballantyne Hotel's Gingerbread Lane. 

Each year both professional and amateur confectionery artists compete for prizes by submitting their awe inspiring interpretation on gingerbread houses, mansions and villages. The frosting laden details are impeccable, and the price to visit (FREE) is perfect! It's a fun holiday must-see here in Charlotte. 

The hallway can be a little crowded so if you have a stroller I don't recommend bringing it through during peak times. We wore our baby and it was perfect. During regular hours they offer hot cocoa for purchase.

Bring some cash for donation to vote for your favorite creation and winner of the people's vote. Donations benefit Levine Children's hospital. 

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{Ticket Giveaway for CFG Style Week} Attention Mommy Fashonistas!

Style. Fashion. Runway. Once you become a mommy these terms may feel like long lost lovers amidst the daily grind of carpool and diaper changes. Break away with me for a moment if you will, and let's rekindle that sexy old flame by stepping out of the norm and into Charlotte Fashion Guild's Style Week September 24th-27th 2014. Join top designers from Project Runway, Trinidad, Sweden, New York and beyond, at Label House at the NC Music Factory in Uptown Charlotte.

Grab your girlfriends, your favorite LBD and scoop up tickets before they're gone. Unlike a killer pair of Louboutin's, getting into this shin-dig won't break the monthly budget, tickets are $15-$40.

The fabulous minds that are bringing style back to Charlotte are giving our readers the chance to get their runway on for free! Just sign up below and the winner will be drawn on Sunday, 9/21/14. For more information check out CFG Style Week's website and stay connected with them on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

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STEM Summer Camp at Club Scientific

We're several weeks into summer vacation and I'm beginning to hear the whispers of boredom from my 5 year old. 'What are we going to do TODAAAY Mom??' Apparently my fire juggling act from yesterday is going to be a tough one to top... In my search for an experience that was equal parts fun, excitement and education I came across a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) camp provided by South Charlotte Club Scientific. 

Club Scientific is a hands-on, minds-on, challenging science program for girls and boys (ages 4-14) that lays the foundation for creative minds and problem solvers of the future through art, science and engineering.  They believe that every child is a scientist and that they can make children even better scientists! The themes of the camp make ME want to enroll -Jr. Video Game Maker, Little Scientist, Robotics, Jurassic and Little Scientist just to name a few. Why didn't they have this kind of stuff when I was little?? Your budding scientists will carry out experiments, engage in team activities and see just how science works in the real world. Club Scientific's camp Directors are highly trained college graduates assisted by currently enrolled college students that have been trained by Club Scientific, and have a max 9:1 student counselor ratio. All counselors also have had background checks (yes - I AM that paranoid mama that had to inquire).
  

Lucky for us last minute moms - they still have spots available for their camps running the weeks of 7/28, 8/4 and 8/11. South Charlotte Club Scientific is located at the British American School of Charlotte in Ballantyne, near the intersection of 521 and 485. Camps run from 9:00am-4:00pm with the options for before and after care.

Even bigger bonus? When I spoke with the owner she offered a $25 coupon code for all MomAboutCharlotte.com and MomFavorites.com readers with the code: MOMMIES14 at registration! I love me some coupons.

I'm a scientist by trade, and I feel that involving your children in the STEM's at an early age and throughout their lives helps them build confidence, develop critical thinking and enjoy learning about their world. This camp may spark the imagination of YOUR future scientist or engineer! 

You can check out summer camps at South Charlotte Club Scientific here, 'like' their facebook here, or give them a call at 704-566-9001.  

British American School of Charlotte
7000 Enhaven Lane, Charlotte NC 28277 - See more at: http://www.southcharlotte.clubscientific.com/campLocations.php#sthash.DVUwbC9a.dpuf

Club Scientific is providing a camp experience for us to facilitate another blog about the experience at Club Scientific, but as always all opinions are my own.

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Hope Floats Duck Race - Supporting Kindermourn

It was the unimaginable. My sister was 24 weeks pregnant when her life changed during a routine ultrasound, and she learned that her son Aiden had passed away. He was stillborn, and there aren't words to describe the soul and spirit wrenching grief and difficult healing that she and her husband have undergone since his passing. 

We created Aiden's Light, a peer support page on Facebook for parents who have had a miscarriage, stillbirth or infant loss. 

Locally, we are supporting Kindermourn in Charlotte, which provides free counseling and support for bereaved parents of children. The mission has remained strong, and the heart of KinderMourn still beats for one purpose...to provide a safe haven for those who have suffered an unimaginable loss.

 
You can help with their mission. Kindermourn is hosting their 10th annual Hope Floats Duck Race on April 27th, 2014 at the White Water Center. 15,000 ducks will be raced down the white water rapids and one single duck will win prizes for their adopted family.

Please consider adopting a duck in honor of a loved one. They are $5 per duck (unable to purchase a single duck online, contact me for a form to submit). Online you purchase a quack pack (6 ducks) for $25 or a float of ducks (12 ducks) for $50. Click here to adopt a duck and make a difference for those who have suffered an unimaginable loss.

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