Saturday, July 27, 2019

A day that was out of this world! Space Fest 2019 at the JFK Library and Museum celebrating #Apollo50th @jfklibrary #spacefest #JFKMoonshot

Earlier this month, we decided to beat the heat and I heard there was a Space Fest happening at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston. We went and had a blast (pun intended)! Ok ok... just fair warning, if there are any punny space jokes in this post, I'm apologizing now, I couldn't help myself.

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission and the moon landing, there were a bunch of talks on the subject, and we even met an astronaut, Daniel Burbank, who took the time to speak with kids interested in science, math and space. We also had the chance to see a real space suit up close. It was also neat that as we entered the museum they had taped footprints and the lunar module to scale so you could see how far everything was on the moon 50 years ago. The JFK Museum also offered a really neat Augmented Reality simulation on mobile devices through an app that you could use on your personal mobile device. I really enjoyed it.

We walked around and learned about all of the science and research that went into the Apollo 11 mission. There were some really fun activities for the kids, like building your own paper rocket and launching it using a compressed air pump (built and managed by students from MIT) to land on a planet (balloon) by popping it. Other activities included making your own space mission patch, space helmet and playing fun space jeopardy! We decided to play space jeopardy and even though our team didn't win, we got a chance to try some Astronaut Ice Cream - it was so cool (pun intended)! Just kidding, it was freeze dried. One thing I learned at an early age is to not eat that stuff too fast...

We walked around some more and enjoyed real ice cream sundaes with fun space-themed toppings, like pop rocks and moon shaped candy! We made moon landing parachute, fabric moonscapes and even origami landing vehicles. It was a fun time for sure with lots of great activities to inspire the next generation.








Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Bowl with the Pawsox on Thursday July 18 and other fun things in Pawtucket

Join the PawSox at their "Strike Out Cancer" bowling event this Thursday, July 18 from 6:00pm - 9:00pm at East Providence Lanes on 80 Newport Avenue, East Providence, RI 02916.

For only $25.00 per person you receive, bowling shoes, food, and a chance to bowl with some PawSox Players! There will be live and silent auctions to win special Red Sox and PawSox memorabilia, along with other unique prizes.

Other fun things happening around McCoy in the next few weeks include:

Alex Cora Bobblehead Night / Meet Luis Tiant - July 20
Red Sox Hall of Famer Luis Tiant will be on hand to greet fans and sign autographs during our game against the Charlotte Knights on Saturday, July 20, at 6:15pm. We'll also be giving away Alex Cora World Series Bobbleheads to the first 3,000 fans at the gates, and setting off fireworks after the game that are Margaritaville themed.

Play catch in the outfield before the game / Paws for a Cause: TB12 Foundation - July 21
The PawSox will be hosting the TB12 Foundation at McCoy Stadium on Sunday, July 21 to help them put the spotlight on all of the great work they are doing for young athletes in our community. Half the proceeds of every ticket sold through the link in our event page will go directly back to Tom Brady’s Foundation, and help support young athletes throughout our community. Fans can join the PawSox on Sunday for a pregame catch in the outfield from 11:30am-12 Noon, and kids can run the bases after the game with their families.

Free Youth Clinic - August 3
PawSox Youth Clinics are a great (and free) way to get hands-on instruction from our PawSox players and coaches on the field at McCoy Stadium. They take place on 4 Saturdays throughout the season for kids ages 4-14, and are always followed by a photograph and autograph session in our BBQ tent. Kids are invited to get autographs with our players, and stick around for our game and fireworks shows in the evening!

NOTE: We are providing this information as we enjoy Pawtucket Red Sox baseball as much as you do! We are provided tickets in exchange for the posts and our reviews from time to time.

Sunday, July 7, 2019

The latest offerings from Xfinity’s Day of Awesome and Xfinity Kids Week TODAY through 7/14!

This post is sponsored by Comcast.

Comcast Xfinity held a Day of Awesome recently at local Xfinity stores to showcase some of the latest offerings of their TV, Internet, Voice and Mobile services. I’d like to highlight a few things of interest to families. Also, don't miss the first ever Xfinity Kids Week starting today and going through Sunday, July 14. More details below:

APPS
Xfinity Stream is one of the apps that I use on my iPhone or iPad the most around my house as well as on my commute and family trips. Recently we went on a trip to Sesame Place and thanks to Xfinity Stream, I was able to download previously recorded episodes of the kids’ favorite shows to keep them entertained for the car ride!  You can watch more than 200 channels outside the home, download TV shows or On Demand programs so that you can stay entertained when you’re offline.

The xFi app allows Xfinity Internet customers to manage the home wireless network and router using a simple app on their mobile device.  This app and the xFi experience is another reason why you want to rent your wireless gateway from Xfinity,
                                       
Using the Xfinity My Account app, you can easily troubleshoot services, pay a bill, find an Xfinity Store near you, and you can even eliminate hold time by tapping a time that works for you if you need to speak with a Comcast representative! They really have thought a lot about saving time for their customers, which is a must for families when trying to juggle everything.

YOUR HOME NETWORK
We have high expectations when it comes to internet connectivity, especially when it comes to coverage, and Comcast helps this through their xFi Gateways and xFi Pods, giving you fast, reliable WiFi coverage throughout your home. The xFi Advanced Gateway can deliver 1G speeds over WiFi in the home. If you rent the gateway from Xfinity they will swap it out for newer devices whenever they increase their internet speeds. xFi Pods are a powerful mesh WiFi solution that extend reliable WiFi coverage to hard-to-reach areas. When traveling outside the home, as part of the Xfinity internet package you also have access to more than 19 million WiFi hotspots, so you can stay connected on the go at no additional cost.

X1
X1 offers a unique, integrated experience that provides you with access to You can access so many services with the voice remote: live TV, On Demand, Recorded video, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube, Pandora, NPR, Sling International, and iHeartRadio. They are going to be partnering with Amazon Music to offer that option as well on the X1 platform! One of my favorite things about the X1 remote is that I can have it turn on my TV, Surround Sound system and wake up my X1 box all by pressing the power button. Magical!

TV
If you have a 4K TV, Xfinity just added a bunch of new content – including the Women’s World Cup coverage as well as 4K content from X1-integrated apps like Netflix, YouTube and Amazon Prime Video. Xfinity offers the largest 4K library that aggregates 4K programming from Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube and more (as long as you have a 4K TV and a 4K box from Xfinity).  In years past, Xfinity has made signature events available in 4K on demand including the Olympics and World Cup. You can have a 4K box shipped to you or arrange for a professional installation. There is no additional cost for 4K service from Xfinity.

KIDS WEEK 7/8-7/14
From Monday, July 8 to Sunday, July 14, Xfinity is hosting the first ever Kids Week offering dozens of movies and shows for kids for free all week long, at home and on the go! During Kids Week, Xfinity TV customers will have access to the full catalog of Xfinity On Demand programming from networks and premium services such as Disney Story Central, Kids Central, Kids Central en Espanol, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Nick en Espanol, PBS Kids, Primo TV and VME Kids. Additionally, networks including Cartoon Network, Cartoon Network en Espanol, Discovery Family, Discovery Familia, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD and Universal Kids will offer a selection of some of their most popular shows and movies for customers to enjoy free throughout the week. All of this great content will be made available across Xfinity TV platforms including X1 and the Xfinity Stream app and portal. Xfinity customers without an Xfinity TV subscription can also log in to Stream using their credentials to enjoy a selection of free TV shows and movies, too.

Monday, July 1, 2019

Our reaction to Toy Story 4 and some updates (and a giveaway!) for two Disney favorites

Over the weekend, we had the chance to see the new Disney-Pixar film, Toy Story 4, which is the latest in the Toy Story series. It was a heartwarming tale complete with some surprises and plot twists! I don't want to give any details away so you'll just have to see it. My kids said it was "awesome" and "one part is sad, and another part is scary with a few creepy dummies." It was nice to meet some of the new characters, especially Duke Caboom, Giggle Mcdimples and Forky!

We also got to play some Toy Story 4 themed games and win some fun prizes at the Toy Story 4 Summer Tour when it stopped in Somerville's Assembly Row a few weeks beforehand. So fun!!

Also last week, Disney released two classics on digital... the live-action version of Dumbo and the 70th anniversary digital remastery of Cinderella.

We are pleased to offer a giveaway for both Dumbo and Cinderella! Enter through the rafflecopter here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dumbo,” the grand live-action adventure from Disney and visionary director Tim Burton, which expanded on the beloved animated classic and sent spirits soaring, is now available on Blu-ray™ and DVD, as well as in digital format, all with never-before-seen bonus features, deleted scenes, Easter eggs and bloopers.

Stunning extras will transport viewers to the set of “Dumbo,” where cast members Danny DeVito (circus owner Max Medici), Michael Keaton (opportunistic businessman V.A. Vandevere), Colin Farrell (war-veteran-turned-elephant-keeper Holt Farrier), Eva Green (stunning aerialist Colette Marchant), Nico Parker (Farrier’s daughter, Milly) and Finley Hobbins (Farrier’s son, Joe) share their personal stories of courage and character. Features explore how Disney’s timeless animated story was brought to life with an incredibly expressive, lovable, fully computer-generated baby elephant; the longtime collaboration of Burton, production designer Rick Heinrichs and costume designer Colleen Atwood, which resulted in jaw-dropping sets and costumes; and the creation of the visually colossal Dreamland parade sequence. Also included are nine deleted scenes, hidden and not-so-hidden Easter eggs, bloopers and a special performance of “Baby Mine” by Arcade Fire.

The Anniversary Edition of “Cinderella” offers two all-new extras: “Cinderella” trivia and fun facts, hosted by Ruth Righi and Ava Kolker from Disney Channel’s “Sydney to the Max,” and “In Walt’s Words: Enhanced Edition,” a special edition of “Cinderella” featuring fascinating production details, original storyboards, archival photos, thumbnail sketches and transcripts throughout the feature film. Hours of classic bonus material celebrates the masterful animation, memorable music and long-lasting impact of “Cinderella,” showcasing Walt Disney’s core group of animators, the art of Disney Legend Mary Blair, the original demo recording of the film’s title song and Cinderella’s iconic glass slipper.

Friday, June 21, 2019

Cirque Du Soleil's CORTEO is now playing at Boston's Agganis Arena through June 30!

Cirque Du Soleil's CORTEO is now playing at Boston's Agganis Arena through June 30!

Corteo, which means cortege in Italian, is a joyous procession, a festive parade imagined by a clown. The show brings together the passion of the actor with the grace and power of the acrobat to plunge the audience into a theatrical world of fun, comedy and spontaneity situated in a mysterious space between heaven and earth.

The clown pictures his own funeral taking place in a carnival atmosphere, watched over by quietly caring angels. Juxtaposing the large with the small, the ridiculous with the tragic and the magic of perfection with the charm of imperfection, the show highlights the strength and fragility of the clown, as well as his wisdom and kindness, to illustrate the portion of humanity that is within each of us. The music turns lyrical and playful carrying Corteo through a timeless celebration in which illusion teases reality.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

NOTE: We have been provided with tickets to see the show and will give our review shortly after. 

Thursday, June 20, 2019

Comcast Business offerings, X1 for Business and WiFi Pro and Xfinity is hosting a Day of Awesome on 6/22

Watching the game on X1 for Business.
Image provided by Comcast Xfinity.
This is a sponsored post by Comcast.

Recently, I had the chance to learn about some offerings from Comcast Business, most notably X1 for Business and WiFi Pro, which would be especially useful for small to medium businesses.

As an Xfinity customer, I’ve grown used to the great offerings X1 has given me at home, as well as the use of xfinitywifi when away from home. What’s nice is that now when I go to visit a business that is using Comcast Business, they will have the same X1 experience that I am familiar with at home.

I find it useful to be online when waiting for my car at the mechanic or needing to check things when out with friends. I also like to watch TV shows when at the gym and having reliable internet is key.

Comcast Business offers Ethernet (with speed up to 100 Gig for interested businesses), Internet, Wi-Fi, Voice, TV and Managed Enterprise Solutions to help organizations of all sizes transform their business. Powered by an advanced network, and backed by 24/7 customer support, Comcast Business is the nation’s largest cable provider to small and mid-size businesses.

X1 for Business includes easier search and navigation, voice control and a picture-in-picture, sports content companion called the X1 Sports App that includes team and players profiles, statistics and real-time, game-specific data. This offering is available to bars, restaurants, hotels, gyms and other businesses across Comcast’s operating area throughout the Greater Boston Region and its footprint in the US.
WiFi Pro provides a business owner with a built for business tool to maximize WiFi coverage in their building that makes it easy to manage your business's Internet. A business can control their network with a separate guest network that could include custom splash pages for customers, offers, data analytics and more.

This Saturday, June 22, Xfinity is hosting a "Day of Awesome" at its Greater Boston Region Xfinity Stores. It’s meant to be informative, so you’ll learn some tips and tricks about services you may already have like X1 and check out free Xfinity apps (The Xfinity xFi app is a true game changer – see my previous write up here).  They’ll have giveaways and refreshments too.  Check out http://www.experience-xfinity.com/ to sign up and register for a location near you.

Saturday, June 15, 2019

Watch Red Sox on the Boston Common today and other activities for June

Out of the Park event on Boston Common.
Image from Boston Red Sox, redsox.com
Today starting at 2:30 pm, the Boston Red Sox once again will host “Out of the Park” on the Boston Common with free food, games, and live NESN broadcast of the 4:05 p.m. game on a big screen! It is courtesy of the Highland Street foundation, along with other partners.

There are other fun activities/promotions coming for Red Sox Nation and Families in June:

June 23:
Kids' Build-A-Bear Presented By Hood - distributed to all kids in attendance

June 24:
Catholic Night: Special pre-game ceremony honoring local Catholic clergy prior to the first pitch.

Phish Night: Purchasing a ticket through this special offer the first 1,500 will receive a limited edition pennant designed by Phish.  

June 25:
Alex Cora World Series Bobblehead Presented By Coca-Cola for the first 7500 fans in attendance

June 26:
Run the Bases: Kids have the opportunity to run the bases at Fenway Park after the game

LEGO Day at Fenway: Your special ticket purchase through this link includes a limited edition Red Sox themed LEGO set. Ticket also includes access to pre-game LEGO Build Experience in the Kids Concourse.

June 29 & 30:
Red Sox vs. Yankees in London: The Red Sox will take on the Yankees in London for two regular season games. History will be made for this is the very first time regular season MLB games will be hosted in Europe.

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.