The Red Sox will bring baseball to the Boston Common with Out of the Park on June 15

The City of Boston, Highland Street Foundation, L.L.Bean, and the Boston Red Sox will host the sixth annual “Out of the Park” on Saturday, June 15, on the Boston Common. “Out of the Park” is a free, family-oriented event that brings the Fenway Park experience out to the community.

“Out of the Park” will feature a live viewing of the 4:05 p.m. June 15 Red Sox-Orioles game at Camden Yards. The NESN (New England Sports Network) broadcast will be shown on a 15-foot video screen in the park. NESN will also broadcast their pregame show live from the Boston Common, weather permitting, starting at 3 p.m.

“Out of the Park” will begin at 2:30 p.m. with the Red Sox Mobile Showcase, presented by T-Mobile, bringing a batting cage, virtual reality station, pitching accuracy, and other games for families to enjoy. The events will also include many of the signature elements and amenities that can be found in and around Fenway Park and Jersey Street during home games, such as caricaturists, balloon artists, and face painters. Red Sox Mascot Wally the Green Monster, his sister Tessie, along with a live DJ will be present throughout the day. Attendees will also have a chance to take rides on the carousel with free vouchers and participate in giveaways. “Out of the Park” includes free food, provided courtesy of Red Sox partners.

NOTE: As a Red Sox Parent, I am providing this information for you, my readers since I think you would find it useful. I did not receive any compensation for this post and all opinions are my own.

My experience in the Citizen Public Safety Academy of my town

Every other week for the past few months, I have had the opportunity to join 34 other residents of my town to learn from our public safety officials: what it takes to do their job and the importance of building connections within the community. Before taking this course, the only experience I had with a police officer or firefighter was when I visited the building for assistance with installing a car seat and ensuring it was done properly.

In early January, we met in the training room of the new police department building and learned the history of police and fire departments in our town and the various reasons that fire prevention laws were developed. Over the course of the following months, we received a behind-the-scenes look at the public safety facilities, vehicles and tools and we learned about:

• Fire Department History
• Fire Prevention & Fire Behavior
• Fire Department Emergency Medical Services: Capabilities, Equipment Demonstration and First Aid
• Fire Department Emergency Management and Home Safety
• CPR and Stop-the-Bleed Training
• Training like a Firefighter with hands-on activities for various firefighting tasks
• Police Operations, Tools of the Trade and Use of Force
• Police Department Administration, Detective Bureau, Interviewing, Warrants and a K9 Demonstration and their role
• Operating Under the Influence discussion and Breathalyzer Demonstration
• Simulation with Interactive Scenarios involving Decision Making and Application

During the fire department training activities, I was amazed at how fast water comes out of a fire hose and how heavy the hose is to maneuver. We used the Jaws of Life and I was amazed at how they cut a car door and metal like a knife through butter. We put on protective gear and masks and went into a smoke filled trailer to get a sense of what it is like to wear 40 lbs of gear while crawling through a space where you can't see your hand in front of your nose. I can't begin to imagine what it must be like to be in that same scenario with your adrenaline pumping, temperatures rising, all the while being careful where you step because you may go right through the floor. 

I was in total awe at the amount of knowledge they have and the split second decision making that they have to have on a daily basis in high-stress situations that they may encounter. I already had a huge amount of respect for all public safety officials for the work that they do on a daily basis to keep us all safe. During this time, I've learned in greater detail about their various responsibilities and the inherent risks associated with their professions.

Here's a few of my favorite photos from the classes:

What's happening at Fenway and Gillette in May

Here's a few things not to miss at Fenway Park and Gillette Stadium during the month of May:

Sunday, May 12
Kids Run the Bases at Fenway #SoxPromos

Tuesday, May 14
J.D. Home Run Bobblehead #SoxPromos
This giveaway will be distributed to the first 7,500 fans in attendance.

Tuesday, May 14
Red Sox College Series: UMASS Amherst
The Red Sox will celebrate alumni, students, fans and friends of UMass Amherst. Fans who purchase tickets through this special offer will receive a limited edition UMass Amherst Red Sox Knit Hat.

Wednesday, May 15
NE Revolution vs. Chelsea "Final Whistle on Hate" Match at Gillette Stadium
The New England Revolution and Chelsea FC will play a charity match for the “Final Whistle on Hate” at Gillette Stadium.

Saturday, May 18 - Lynnfield, MA
Sunday, May 19 - Franklin, MA
Red Sox Showcase
The Red Sox Showcase, will bring Red Sox baseball and Fenway Park to towns across New England all summer long. The truck will carry a batting cage, pitching stations, giant jenga, and a virtual reality experience.

Sunday, May 19
Wally's Birthday VIP Package
The Red Sox will celebrate Wally's Birthday with a special VIP package including a food and beverage buffet pre-game in the Champions Club and the opportunity to take a photo with Wally.

Sunday, May 19
Wally's Comic Book #SoxPromos
This giveaway will be distributed to all kids in attendance.

May 25
Star Wars Night at the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium

Tuesday, May 28
2013 Commemorative World Series Ring #SoxPromos
This giveaway will be distributed to the first 7,500 fans in attendance.

Wednesday, May 29
Red Sox Emergency Medical Services Night
Join the Red Sox and National EMS Memorial Foundation for EMS Appreciation Night. $5 from every ticket sold will be donated to the EMS Memorial Foundation.

For a full list of the Red Sox 2019 Game Day Events and #SoxPromos giveaways, please visit redsox.com/gamedaysevents and redsox.com/promos.

#SoxPromos: Red Sox promos are distributed to the first 7,500 fans in attendance unless otherwise noted on the Sox Promos website. Game Day Events: Red Sox Game-Day events require the purchase of a special ticket through the Game Day Events website. Only fans who purchase the special ticket will receive giveaway items associated with the theme night.

NOTE: We are proud to be part of #RedSoxParents and are providing you with this great information. No compensation was provided and all opinions are our own.

Hosting a Marvelous Passover with Mrs. Maisel

This year, we've been fortunate to take you, our readers, on some fun experiences. One such experience was the season 2 premiere of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, hosted by Xfinity and Amazon Prime Video thanks to their new partnership. We enjoy watching Mrs. Maisel and other Amazon Prime Video favorites on our Xfinity X1 box! Be sure to check it out using the Apps feature of the X1 remote!

Well, a few short weeks later, Amazon Prime Video partnered up with the folks from Maxwell House to release a limited edition "new 1958" version of their popular Haggadah for the Jewish Holiday of Passover that is themed from The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

What's new about this version (nu?) is the updated design and fonts making things easier to read as well as the English translation has been updated to be egalitarian and doesn't refer to the higher being as "He" but rather just "G-d" or the "Divine".

Our family enjoyed looking through and using the new copies because we use the old ones every year. We've been so used to our copies saying thine, yea, or speaketh. I thought the language update was a welcome change along with new graphics, and even a recipe for brisket!

If you're a fan of the show as we are and you want your own Haggadah, you can still order Maxwell House coffees direct from Amazon that come with the special Haggadahs (haggadot, in Hebrew).

NOTE: We were provided with the Haggadahs from Maxwell House to facilitate this review. No other compensation was provided. As always, all opinions are our own.

Fun April Vacation Ideas: Red Sox, Blue Man Group, GOT at Primark & Baseball Beanpot

Looking for something to do this April vacation?

Here are some fun highlights with more details below:

• ALL WEEK: Blue Man Group at the Charles Playhouse
• 4/17: Watch the Baseball Beanpot at Fenway!
• 4/19-20: Game of Thrones' Iron Throne at Primark in Downtown Crossing
• April 22-25 and 26-28: Catch a Sox game with the Fenway 4-pax, and score 4 Red Sox Tickets, 4 Fenway Franks and 4 Fountain drinks for $99
  

ALL WEEK: Blue Man Group
Blue Man Group is bringing more family fun to school vacation week this April. In addition to the unique show experience, kids and parents alike can get creative before the show with free art-inspired activities. And, new this year, patrons can take advantage of a special discount: 25% off a Family Four Pack of tickets.

With an expanded scheduled of 18 shows between April 15 to 21, there’s plenty of opportunities to see the boys in blue including added matinees throughout the week.

From April 15-17, prepare to enter the Blue Man Group tribe when the theater staff offers glow-in-the-dark face painting in the Charles Playhouse Lounge before the show. Kids and adults can pick out tribal-inspired designs and glow during the performance!

From April 18-21, roll up your sleeve and channel your inner Picasso when you “decorate-a-mask” using various materials like feathers, gems and special black light markers.

All activities are free for ticketholders. Children under the age of 3 are not permitted in the theatre.

After all performances, guests are invited to stay and meet the Blue Men and take the ultimate selfie to add to their collection. Doors open one hour before each performance, and, in addition to the school vacation week special activities, there is also a full bar and interactive music and light installation created by Blue Man Group called the “Lounge-U-Lum.”

WEDNESDAY April 17
Baseball Beanpot at Fenway Park
The college baseball doubleheader will feature teams from Boston College, Harvard University, Northeastern University, and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Tickets are general admission and priced at $10 each.

Net proceeds will benefit the Pete Frates #3 Fund, named after the former Division 1 college athlete who was Captain of the Boston College Baseball team and diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

FRIDAY April 19
Game of Thrones at Primark Boston
On Friday April 19th and Saturday, April 20th, Primark Downtown Crossing will host the Iron Throne from HBO®’s mega-hit series, Game of Thrones. Friday, April 19th, 9:00 a.m. Fans are encouraged to don their best Game of Thrones garb and be ready to snap and share pics with the Throne just as the store opens. The first 50 who arrive on the 19th in costume and get a picture with the throne will win Game of Thrones collectibles. See store for details.

SATURDAY April 20
Saturday, April 20th, 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. Fans can capture themselves with the Throne in a dynamic, shareable format using Primark's GifGif booth. We will have props from their collection to add to the fun! Lastly, Primark will be running a social media competition on April 19th and 20th.

Fans who share a static post (not just a story) with a picture of them in the throne using the official #PrimarkGoTSweeps and #PrimarkUSA tags will be entered into a competition with the chance to win Primark’s GoT season premiere survival kit. Entrants must be 17 years or older and need to follow @primark.usa to qualify. One winner will be notified on Monday, April 22nd. No purchase necessary. See store for full terms.

April 22-25
April 26-28
Fenway 4-pax
Score 4 Red Sox Tickets, 4 Fenway Franks and 4 Fountain drinks for $99. To purchase tickets please visit www.mlb.com/redsox/tickets/packs/family-4-pax.

NOTE: We are providing this information for our readers! As with all of our Red Sox posts, we are providing this information as we are Red Sox Parents. No compensation was provided in exchange for this post and our opinions, as always, are our own.

Watching the Harlem Globetrotters in Worcester

I recently had the opportunity to bring my daughter and her friend to see the Harlem Globetrotters at the DCU Center in Worcester. This year the Globies are on their Fan Powered tour taking their fun times and hilarious antics to the next generation.

I was my first time going to the DCU Center and we parked in a nearby garage. We walked to the door and found a line had formed outside as you have your ticket scanned immediately on walking through the doors.

We found our seats just before the teams were announced and then the fun antics began with team introductions and Globie, the mascot entertaining the crowd.

Be sure to plan on staying after the game - you can go down to the court level and go around and meet the players, get their autograph and take photos with them. Such a cool experience. If you go to meet the team, just be aware that the players generally don't move, you need to walk around to meet them and get their autograph.

You can SAVE 25% for ALL Harlem Globetrotters Games with promo code FUNFAM http://harlemglobetrotters.com/tickets

The next game in our area will be this weekend in Providence, RI on April 6 with two shows, one at 2 pm and one at 7 pm.

Here's some photos from our game:

The line outside of the DCU center went somewhat quickly, but be prepared to wait outside.

The view from our seats was great.

There were so many hilarious antics during the game, like this one - one of the players hopped up on the top of the hoop during the game. So fun!

At the end of the game, you can go down to the court. to meet the players, get autographs and take pictures. Just be aware that you need to move around to meet each player - they don't come to you.

NOTE: We were provided with tickets to the game to facilitate this review. No other compensation was provided. As always, all opinions are our own.

Enjoying time with family and friends...

I've really been taking some time over the past month to slow down, enjoy the moment and cherish time with my family. I love being able to partake in fun activities with the kids, friends and family and as it's starting to warm up, we are spending more time outside.

Recently, we had some late snowfall (in March!) in a quick burst. I had a chance to take a quick break and go sledding - something I haven't done for at least 20 years. It was so much fun and we were laughing all of the way!

I think spending time outside and slowing down, and being present, is so important. There's truly nothing like listening to laughter, having fun, and playing outside.