'lil Burghers - Page 3 of 211 - raising kids in Pittsburgh

Vacation Myrtle Beach – Condo Giveaway

This post contains information shared to ‘lil Burghers through our partnership with US Family Guide. They’ve teamed up with Vaction Myrtle Beach to get the word out about their “Great Myrtle Beach Condo Giveaway Contest” and asked that I’d share with yinz. All opinions are 100% my own.

A rainy Pittsburgh day always makes me miss the beach and today was no exception. It might not have helped that I got some awesome news to share with you from our friends at US Family Guide. They’re partnering with Vacation Myrtle Beach (aka one of our favorite travel destinations, the place Greg and I fell in love, and our “2nd home) and want to get the word out about a current contest they are running. Of course I wasn’t going to think twice about sharing them with you – this is a big YES in my book! Check out all the details and then be sure to enter to win.

The Great Myrtle Beach Condo Giveaway Contest

Vacation Myrtle Beach is Giving Away an Oceanfront Condo, valued at nearly $100,000 (or $50,000 CASH, winner’s choice)!!! One lucky winner will own this condo (this is not a timeshare).
Win this beautiful Oceanfront Condo and Change Your Life! Vacation Myrtle Beach, one of the largest providers of family vacation accommodations in Myrtle Beach, SC, is pleased to announce the launch of The Great Myrtle Beach Condo Giveaway contest, which features the grand prize of a furnished oceanfront condo at The Caravelle Resort located in Myrtle Beach, SC, valued at nearly $100,000 (or $50,000 CASH, winner’s choice)!!! One lucky winner will own this condo (this is not a timeshare). Other lucky winners will receive a 7-night stay or a 3-night stay at one of Vacation Myrtle Beach’s oceanfront properties.

The newly renovated, oceanfront efficiency condo offers room for up to four guests and includes a fully-equipped kitchen. In addition to its prime Myrtle Beach location, the resort provides convenient access to all of the area’s major attractions, restaurants, and things to do. Families and couples enjoy a wide variety of on-site amenities including an indoor pool, a block-long poolscape complete with a large pool, whirlpool, lazy river, kiddie lazy river, kids’ pool, poolside bar, and plenty of relaxing deck options. In addition to everything you need for fun in the sun, the resort offers an array of dining options as well as an opportunity for rejuvenation and relaxation at its on-site spa.

The Great Myrtle Beach Condo Giveaway sweepstakes is now open for entries.

To enter or for Official Rules and more information about Vacation Myrtle Beach properties and deals, please here: https://woobox.com/hsfeoo?source=usfam
Source: US Family Guide & Vacation Myrtle Beach

Wowza, right? Now if that isn’t a contest to be sure to enter, I don’t know what is. All the sweet tea, sun, sand, and surf you could ever want in one place. Sounds amazing to me. Now as much as we love yinz, what are ya still doing here? Head over to enter today!

Phipps Conservatory – Summer Family Fun

Phipps Conservatory invited our family to a media day event to hear about the summer family fun that they have to offer. In exchange for our entrance to Phipps, we agreed to share this information with you. All opinions are 100% our own.

The four ‘lil Burghers embarked on their first ever trip to Phipps Conservatory this past weekend (Mom and Dad had gone before, but kept all the fun a big secret from the kiddos). On this trip, we were reminded to take the time and notice the beauty in nature but we also learned about what Phipps has to offer for summer family fun in 2019.

Phipps Conservatory – Summer Family Fun

Visit Pittsburgh’s Phipps Conservatory any day of the year with your kiddos and you’re sure to have a blast. There’s fun and learning to be had throughout and programs are offered year-round outside of general admission. But in the summer of 2019, Phipps is offering summer camps, discovery programs, and dynamic exhibits to enjoy while exploring the gardens on a visit.

Summer Camp at Phipps Conservatory

Phipps Summer Camps — source: Phipps Conservatory

Children ages 2-13 can explore Phipps this summer through their summer camp programs. (There are scholarships available, but must apply by May 29.) There are full-day programs (like Rockin’ Researchers with Let’s Move Pittsburgh) and four day programs for your ‘lil explorers (with adult supervision). In these programs, your children will connect with nature, learn about healthy and sustainable living, and can even get deeper information on botany! Check out every camp that Phipps has to offer here.

Discovery Programs at Phipps

Throughout the summer, bring your children to Phipps for weekly scheduled programs that will give them an added dimension of learning and fun to their visit. These are subject to change, but current offerings are:

Make-a-Craft Mondays (10:30 a.m. – noon)
Story Time Wednesdays (10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.)
Pot-a-Plant Fridays (10:30 a.m. – noon)

We got a chance to check out the Pot-a-Plant activity during our Discovery Garden Day visit – each of the kids was stpped through how to properly plant a zinnia and what it meant that it was an annual plant (to just enjoy this summer, kids!).

Mom recommends – if you are doing this activity, come with a tote bag (here‘s her current favorite) to carry the plants in or do this at the very end of your visit. Although they came in paper bags to carry, the kids really wanted their hands for exploring and mom didn’t want to be bogged down with the plants.

In addition to the weekly scheduled programs, there are pop-up discovery stations throughout the gardens that spotlight specific content. During our visit, we made seed balls in the Tropical Forest Cuba exhibit and did a scavenger hunt for (teeny, tiny!) plants in the Bog Garden. You never know what fun awaits until you go and check it out yourself!

Dynamic Exhibits at Phipps

Before you go on your visit to Phipps Conservatory, you might want to have a look at what exhibits are on their events calendar. We got to check out Van Gogh in Bloom – a transformation of Van Gogh’s paintings into plants and props (so beautiful) and the butterfly forest; however, these might change before your visit so know before you go!

But no matter when you visit, there is always something beautiful in bloom. We encourage you to add Phipps to our summer bucket list if you live in or are visiting Pittsburgh! Check out more photos from our visit here.

About Phipps Conservatory

The top five things we recommend you visit while at Phipps this summer (as per recommendation from Phipps’ Children’s programming director) are:

Van Gogh in Bloom
Butterfly Forest
Tropical Forest Cuba
Gallery Room Market
The Discovery Garden

About Phipps: Founded in 1893, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh, PA is a globally recognized green leader with a mission to inspire and educate all with the beauty and importance of plants; to advance sustainability and promote human and environmental well-being through action and research; and to celebrate its historic glasshouse. Encompassing 15 acres including a historic 14-room glasshouse, 23 distinct indoor and outdoor gardens and industry-leading sustainable architecture and operations, Phipps attracts nearly half a million visitors annually from around the world. Learn more at phipps.conservatory.org.

Admission is $17.95 for adults, $16.95 for seniors and students, and $11.95 for children (2-18). Members and kids under 2 enter free.

Fun Slides Carpet Skatepark Pittsburgh – Spring Staycation!

We received tickets to check out Fun Slides Carpet Skatepark through US Family Guide. All opinions are 100% our own.

It’s been awhile since the big kids and I checked out Fun Slides Carpet Skate Park in Pittsburgh (December 2016, to be honest); but I realized that I forgot to let you all know how it went after I first told you about them.

Here’s where I admit that you’re going to see a few posts like this here over the next few months. You see, being a mom of four who works full-time outside of the home + volunteers with church + has kids in sports…life gets away FAR TOO EASILY. I don’t want to put up some front that I’ve got it all together because SIS, I don’t and you shouldn’t either.

But the good news is that my post is right on time for you parents of kiddos who actually get a spring break (unlike mine who are in Armstrong and won’t see summer until the middle of June #minirant).

Fun Slides Carpet Skatepark Pittsburgh – Spring Staycation!

With the weather being as crazy as it has been so far in April (70 one day, 30 the next), Fun Slides Carpet Skatepark is a great place to go to enjoy some of your spring break indoors. US Family Guide shared with me the details:

Fun Slides Carpet s Skatepark & Party Center www.funslidespark.com is a family owned and operated entertainment facility known for our unique brand of blacklight sliding family fun, excellence in providing awesome birthday party experiences for our customers ages four through teen and skate staff that love to teach people how to carpet skate and do cool tricks.
What is Carpet Skating you may ask? From the makers of EZ Moves Furniture Slides, this unique and cool type of fun is so easy to learn. Skate instructors strap plastic skates on the bottom of your athletic shoes, give a demonstration and then teach you to slide in minutes. Kids and parents alike love to carpet skate because as our motto says…”You Were Born to Slide!”
US FAMILY GUIDE

And the Bigs throughly enjoyed their “cool carpet shoes”, the music, the ramps, and the black lights. As a mom who is such a rule follower, it was a little tough for me to chase them around and make sure they were following the rules (especially because Arianna, the oldest, was more daring and would go down bigger ramps than Evan); but the biggest piece of advice I can give is let them have fun.

When we visited, we got to do a few Xtra activities like laser tag and a ninja course. They now have dodgeball, carpet hockey, and a glow-in-the-dark bounce house. You’ll easily fill a few hours of spring break fun with a visit. For details on visiting and a list of current Xtra activities, check out their website.

All in all, the Bigs laughed a ton, fell a few times (but got right back up), and have asked to go back more than once. We’ve been waiting to return for the twins get get a little bit older, but now that they’re four, we will probably get a visit there again soon. The two hour passes are a great way to burn off that Easter sugar rush!

Ready for Running

The post below is part of a series of posts about the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon weekend of events for which the mama behind this blog was selected to be a 2019 Pittsburgh Marathon official blogger. She has received my race registration fee in exchange for promotion of the event. All opinions are 100% our own. This post also contains affiliate links.

As we get closer and closer (six weeks tomorrow to race day for the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon weekend), it’s time to start thinking about what you’ll need to be “ready for running” (as my kids say when I am getting geared up). Below are some suggestions from our family, but we’d also love to hear what you will be making sure is part of your gear for race weekend. Make sure to comment below with your must-have gear!

Ready for Running: What Our Gear Looks Like

Bag Check Items – Last year mom shared a post about what needed to be in her race day bag. Check it out here if you haven’t read or need a refresher. These items have been tried and true for all the races since – what would you add to that list?

Balega Socks – For the feet, we’ve got a personal preference for Balega running socks not just because they have South African roots (like mom’s previous company) but they are so soft and make your feet feel amazing when you run.

Nuun Sport – Nuun is the official hydration partner for the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon. This is a sugar-free alternative to those higher sugar sports drinks and it is even tastier. It comes in a tube which when paired with our ever-present cooler full of water bottles makes it super handy for on-the-go families. There are many flavors like this one was in lemon-lime (currently in rotation at our house) or mango orange (so excited to try that one!)

Ready.Set.MOVE Box – Sometimes getting the chance to “try before you buy” gets you hooked on gear. This year, P3REvents (the team behind the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon and other Pittsburgh running events) debuted a running subscription box that is shipped out quarterly. Check out the January box here. Love it? There’s still time to subscribe for April’s box and it will arrive on time for the weekend of Marathon events. (PRO TIP: Use code BECKYBLOG when you check out and you’ll get an extra gift in your April box!)

A Winter Break: Castaway Bay

We received an overnight stay and waterpark passes to Castaway Bay in exchange for sharing the post below with our readers. All opinions are 100% our own. Read all the way to the bottom to hear how you can enter to win your own #CastawayBayGetaway!

Pittsburgh, we’ve had enough of the snow and cold this year, haven’t we? I know spring is really right around the corner, but I am anxious for everything it brings with it. To help combat the season, we loaded the family up in the van and hit the road for a quick (three-hour) road trip to Sandusky, Ohio for an overnight stay at Castaway Bay.

A Winter Break: Castaway Bay

Because we left on a Friday after work and school, we didn’t get to take full advantage of the resort’s 4:00 PM check-in time, but because the indoor waterpark is open until 10 PM (check their operating hours to plan your visit), we got plenty of time in after dinner and checking in. (You can get your wristbands as early as 8:00 AM on your day of arrival – we’ll definitely do this next time!)

The 38,000-square foot waterpark is fully enclosed (always 82-degrees) and a perfect place to spend a winter break! The theme is a tropical Caribbean one and it flows from the park to the on-site restaurants to the hotel rooms. There are water attractions for all ages – slides, a toddler pool/splash pad, an indoor/outdoor Grotto spa, wave pool, and more.

Wondering where Ava was? Attached to Mama!

The Bigs especially enjoyed the waterslides and water roller coaster. They’ve both grown up so much and had the courage to try every single one. Isla (almost four) stuck to the toddler pool and the shallow waves but did go down two todder friendly slides. Ava (also almost four) is usually pretty confident in the pool felt a bit overwhelmed by the (light) crowds and stuck to mom. (I mention crowds, but it really was not packed at all – she just gets clingy in unfamiliar places.)

Pro Tip: There are lifevests for your ‘lil swimmers. I couldn’t find them at first but look for the boat by the wave pool and there your treasure will be! Arr, matey!

Pro Tip: To get great photos of Castway Bay, you’re going to want a waterproof phone pouch. I recommend this one – just order it with Amazon Prime before your trip! You’ll regret not having your phone for photos and meeting up with the family during your time at the park.

Where to Eat: Castaway Bay

All that swimming and relaxing will make you hungry. Thankfully, there are a few options right on the property for you to get your grub on and the hotel rooms have a refrigerator and microwave! The hotel features a Quaker Steak & Lube, a deli serving Starbucks coffee, breakfast buffet (we gave Mango Mike’s a 6 thumbs up for their pancake bar and visits from Snoopy), and snack shack (right in the waterpark).

Other Experiences at Castaway Bay

Prepare for some time outside of the waterpark – you’ll want the break from riding the waves as tough as that sounds! We used our spacious suite for a nap and a (chilly) peek at the birds on the bay off of the balcony. There is also a game room, souvenier shop, and our favorite spot on the resort, Club Castaway! At Club Castaway you can make your own souvenier (t-shirts, pillowcases, bags), watch movies, play games, or meet Snoopy. It was a great place to just chill and the lighting was amazing even on an overcast day.

Ready for Your OWN #CastawayBayGetaway?

We loved our trip to Sandusky and Castaway Bay and think you would, too! Try to get out there before the winter is over or combine your stay with a trip to nearby Cedar Park. (Castaway Bay is an offical hotel of the park.) For all the details on day passes, hotel stays (with park passes), and more, visit Castaway Bay’s website. You can also follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

And speaking of Instagram, let’s get you entered in a GIVEAWAY for a family four-pack of passes to Castaway Bay! To enter, head over to our Instagram and enter to win on this photo. Giveaway will end on March 13, 2019, so act quickly! >> sorry, giveaway closed in 2019. Watch our site for more fun!

Get MOVING with Kids Of Steel (March 2)

The post below is part of a series of posts about the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon weekend of events for which I have been selected to be a 2019 Pittsburgh Marathon official blogger. I’ve received my race registration fee in exchange for promotion of the event. All opinions are 100% my own.

Are your kiddos ready to run in the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon’s Chick-fil-A Kids’ Marathon? The ‘lil Burghers are excited to start hitting the trail to get their “official” training going, but first we’ll be checking out this event on March 2:

Join the Kids of Steel team from 9 AM to 12 PM on Saturday, March 2 at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex to kick off training season and get race day ready! There will be a selfie station, nutrition lessons from Let’s Move Pittsburgh, runs on the indoor track and several family-friendly training activities led by local fitness experts.
Source: P3R Events

Check out the full schedule of events and then RSVP here today!

PSST! If you still need to sign up for the Marathon or Half, make sure you do and let them know I sent you by using WILLISDSGPM19 as your code when you sign up. You’ll save $10 when you do! Register here.

Liberty Magic Welcomes “IMPOSSIBLE”

In exchange for ourreview and providing you with information, we received tickets to LibertyMagic to see Eric Jones in “IMPOSSIBLE”. Noother compensation was received. All opinions are 100% our own.

As parents, Greg and I find it extremely important to makesure that we keep dating each other. When Pittsburgh Cultural Trust asked us tocheck out their new venue Liberty Magicand watch Eric Jones in “IMPOSSIBLE”, it gave us a great “excuse” to get outfor an evening and leave the kiddos with Unca.

Truth be told, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I mean, howmany coins can be hidden and pulled from behind someone’s ears and it still wow a person? But the venue seemed cooland we have a history of meeting people from America’s Got Talent, so I waswilling to give this one a go and kept the evening a surprise from Greg untilwe got to Liberty Magic.

The Venue: LibertyMagic

What used to be a small comedy theater on Liberty Avenue in downtownPittsburgh is now Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s Liberty Magic. Unlike other venues associated with Cultural Trust,this is an intimate (70-person/four rows of seats) venue. It is BYOB (a speakeasyfeel – come in cocktail attire for fun!) and tucked into what would appear tobe an old store front.

Inside, the venue is decorated with memorabilia of illusionartists, Zoltar (if you’ve been to Kennywood, you’re familiar), and some prettyincredible ceilings and light fixtures. Seating is comfortable for the60-minute shows (chairs and bar stools). There are only four other cities withvenues like this!

The Show: Eric Jonesin “IMPOSSIBLE”

Eric Jones brings humor to the stage with his show. It ismore than hiding some coins and guessing cards. We found ourselves laughing(although the content is not all clean or kid-friendly) and wondering how hemade his tricks work.

He limits his tricks to a few really good ones and keeps theaudience engaged through stories of his childhood and career steps. Jones saidthat he “stands on the shoulders of giants” and his illusions are both originaland based on his mentors’ illusions.

Following the show, Skeleton VIP Key holders are able to goto the green room and have a 15-minute chat with Jones to see some up-close tricksand ask questions, but he isn’t giving the answers to “how did you do thattrick”. For example, when Greg asked him if there was anything that gave him an“advantage” in his show, he replied that proprioception– relationship to things around you – is ingrained better in some than inothers so it helps with making his show work (for instance, juggling coins inhis hands based on spatial awareness).

Eric wowed me with his down to earth, humble attitude. I foundmyself listening to his words and his passion for people and a message throughouthis show that you should take what youare passionate about and make a living out of it and (frankly) ignoring the“illusion”. Eric gives back to the community that gave to him by going to innercity schools and ingraining into teens the importance of making something ofyourself through your passions. As a mama who has done this, it made a few tearscome to my eyes.

If you’d like to check out “IMPOSSIBLE”, you have until March 17, 2019 and then Lee Terbosic takes residency through May. For tickets, head over to Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

A New Pittsburgh Cultural District Space – Liberty Magic

This post contains information suited for our adult readers. Liberty Magic is a new Pittsburgh Cultural District Space opening in February 2019 and is recommended for ages 18+. We like to share adult events on our site when they are date-night opportunities for our parent readers. In exchange for our promotion of this event, we have received tickets for an upcoming performance. All opinions are 100% our own.

811 Liberty Avenue is now “Liberty Magic”

This February, a brand new Pittsburgh Cultural District space has opened up. 811 Liberty Avenue is now “Liberty Magic”, an “intimate, speakeasy magic arts space” that opened this past week with the nationally-acclaimed magician Eric Jones. The space will seat 70 attendees and include an option for Skeleton Key VIP Experience ticket holders to sit right up front for private tricks, be part of the show, take part in an after-show experience with the performer, and purchase exclusive merchandise.

Up first, Jones brings his show IMPOSSIBLE from February 6 to March 20, 2019. Pittsburgh Cultural Trust says Jones “will leave audiences in wonder as reality transforms into the unreal, coins multiply and cards fly. By the show’s conclusion, guests will have been left in amazement by Jones’ canny ability to blur the lines between reality and illusion”.

Information from Pittsburgh Cultural Trust on What to Expect:

Liberty Magic seating is general admission, priced at $40 per ticket. Performances are: Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m., Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 5 and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 6:30 p.m.
There is a special Skeleton Key VIP Experience for $65 reserved for the truly adventurous. The Skeleton Key VIP Experience unlocks the first two rows in our intimate theater, a chance to become part of the performance (if you wish) and an exclusive meet and greet with the artist after the show, which includes private, close-up mysteries. Members of the Skeleton Key VIP Experience also have the opportunity to purchase merchandise not available for sale to the general public.
The Liberty Magic experience is recommended for ages 18 and up, and no one under 12 will be admitted. Liberty Magic also offers a special space for private groups, corporate off-sites, staff member rewards, client entertaining, and many special occasions including anniversaries, birthdays, bachelor/bachelorette parties, and family gatherings. Student, corporate, and group sales discounts are available for select performances. Visit TrustArts.org/Groups to learn more.

While there is no dress code, we encourage guests to dress in cocktail or party attire, making for an extra-special night out.
Liberty Magicis a BYOB speakeasy, and one of the most affordable in town! Bring your own beer, wine, cocktails, or soft drinks to sip on while you are amazed by our world-class magicians. There is a $5 per guest corkage fee.

Challenger Sports International Soccer Camp 2019

Review Disclaimer: We have a partnership with US Family Guide – they provide opportunities such as Challenger International Soccer Camp in exchange for reviews on this blog and our social media. All opinions are 100% our own.

It might be hard to believe when we’re still in that time of year when it is 50-degrees one day and 30-degrees the next, but it is time to start planning what your kiddos are going to do when they’re off school this summer. For the last two summers, Evan has taken part in a Challenger Sports soccer camp and he’s excited to do the same this year.

Challenger Sports International Soccer Camp

You might remember that the program Evan was involved in the past two summers was British Soccer. This year, Challenger Sports is combining elements of that program with their TetraBrazil program and unveiling the all-new Challenger International Soccer Camp. Evan has had coaches from both the UK and Brazil, so I’m sure not too much is going to change other than bringing even more opportunities to get skills from coaches around the world.

International Soccer Camp will include instructional camp programs for ages 3 and up. The TinyTykes program (for ages 3-5) will include fundamental soccer activities, games, and stories, designed to enhance technical skills along with physical and social development. With the return of half and full-day programs for ages 6-16, students will get time for skill development, games, challenges, and competition each day.

challenger sports international soccer camp

Get Registered for International Soccer Camp

Challenger Sports, the leading soccer camp company in North America, is combining the most popular elements of their two existing industry-leading camp programs, British Soccer and TetraBrazil, integrating them into a collection of the most effective soccer practices used by youth teams around the world.
The new Challenger International Soccer Camp reflects the truly global nature of the sport today and provides young players with a wide variety of coaching styles, practices, and influences that will help them develop a well-rounded skill set.
We have taken the best coaching methodologies and practices from England, Brazil, Spain, USA and France and have woven them together in a multi-faceted on and off-field coaching experience.
Most camps will include a free soccer ball, T-shirt, Poster and Certificate, but please check your individual sessions on the next page to confirm this.
Any camp or clinic participant will receive the iChallenge App and 20 free skill-building videos!
Source: Challenger Sports

Interested in joining in the fun this summer? Search for the International Soccer Camp closest to you and then register. US Family Guide has shared with me that if you register 30 days before camp, your child will qualify for a free International Game Jersey!

Phantom of the Opera: Pittsburgh

Exciting news to share with you from Pittsbugh Cultural Trust – starting next week, you can catch THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA in Pittsburgh! Part of PNC Broadway on Pittsburgh, this show will be in town February 20 to March 3, 2019.

Tickets for Cameron Mackintosh’s spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA are on sale for the triumphant return Pittsburgh engagement at the Benedum Center, 237 7^th Street. With newly reinvented staging and stunning scenic design, this new version of PHANTOM is performed by a cast and orchestra of 52, making this one of the largest productions on tour in North America. This event is a season special part of the 2018-2019 PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh series, presented by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, and Broadway Across America.
Source: PITTSBURGH CULTURAL TRUST AND PNC BROADWAY IN PITTSBURGH

Tickets (currently starting at $36 for select performance) are on sale now and available at the following official Pittsburgh Cultural Trust ticket sources: online at TrustArts.org, by calling Guest Services at 412-456-4800, or in person at Theater Square Box Office, 655 Penn Avenue. For groups of 10+ call 412-471-6930, online at TrustArts.org/GroupSale s or in person at Theater Square Box Office.