Places to Visit

First Responders receive FREE Admission to Busch Gardens Tampa from Oct. 11th till Nov. 24th

October 11, 2017 By Marijean

FLORIDA’S FIRST RESPONDERS RECEIVE FREE ADMISSION TO BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA BAY

“Thank You” Offer for First Responders Good from October 11th to November 24th

Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay is honoring Florida first responders through November. From October 11th to November 24th, first responders will receive free admission to Busch Gardens, and four discounted tickets for friends and family at 50% off the regular ticket price.

“A first responder’s mission is to selflessly protect us each day, and this special offer is a small way to show our appreciation of their dedication to the communities they call home,” said Stewart Clark, president and general manager of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

Qualifying first responders include:

All Florida fire rescue first responders
Florida emergency medical services employees (EMT/EMS)
911 dispatchers
All Florida police and sheriff officers
Florida Highway Patrol
Florida Department of Corrections
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission field officers
Florida Forest Service Forest Rangers
Florida Park Service law enforcement
Department of Homeland Security law enforcement agents
Florida Department of Environmental Protection law enforcement

Qualifying first responders should visit buschgardenstampa.com for more information and register using the ID.me verification system. 911 operators must take advantage of the First Responder offer at the front gate. Tickets must be used by November 24th. Restrictions apply.

Members of the United States military and the National Guard can take advantage of the Waves of Honor® program, which provides free admission to the SeaWorld® and Busch Gardens® parks, and Sesame Place® for active members of U.S. armed forces and as many as three direct dependents per service member.

Be the first to know about new events, special deals and future announcements by following @buschgardens on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snap Chat.

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

Scare Up Some Fun at Seaworld’s Halloween Spooktacular on Weekends in September and October!

August 25, 2017 By Marijean

SCARE UP SOME FAMILY FUN AT SEAWORLD’S HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR

Popular Daytime Halloween Celebration Returns Weekends September 23 – October 29

Halloween Spooktacular returns to SeaWorld Orlando this fall earlier than ever before on September 23. Guests of all ages can join everyone’s favorite furry friends from Sesame Street as The Count, Elmo, Abby and others take the stage in “Sesame Street’s Countdown to Halloween.” Families will also enjoy a Halloween Dance Party and meet whimsical characters inspired by the sea. For this special event, children can dress in their Halloween costumes and take part in fun-filled trick-or-treating in the park.

The daytime Halloween fun takes place every Saturday and Sunday starting September 23 through October 29, 2017 and is included with park admission. Event hours are 11 a.m. to park close.

Halloween Spooktacular Highlights Include:

· Sesame Street’s Countdown to Halloween – Celebrate a Spooktacular Halloween at SeaWorld with The Count, Elmo, Abby, and the rest of their Sesame Street friends! The Count is feeling lonely this Halloween, and it’s up to the loveable monsters from Sesame Street to get him into the Halloween spirit. Batty bats and spooky skeletons join the fun in a song-filled stage show that invites guests to dance, play and sing along.

· Count von Count’s Spooktacular Breakfast – Back by popular demand, Count von Count’s Spooktacular Breakfast features a delicious buffet enjoyed with the furriest characters in town, this breakfast is a fun-filled experience sure to delight kids and parents alike. Starting at $9 for kids and $19 for adults, reservations can be made online, at the Information Counter or by calling (407) 545-5550.

· Penelope’s Garden Party – This dynamic “underwater” environment comes to life with a live DJ, bubbles floating overhead, unique photo opportunities and colorful sea-themed characters.

· Pets Ahoy Halloween – Guests can enjoy a special Halloween version of this side-splitting show with surprise twists, and a cast of unlikely characters that will have the whole family laughing from beginning to end.

· Waves of Trick-or-Treat Fun – Costumed youngsters can trick-or-treat from 11 a.m. to park close for ghoulish goodies. Each sea-themed, trick-or-treat station features an assortment of candy favorites including Tootsie Roll®, Airheads® and Junior Mints®, just to name a few.

· Halloween Dance Party – Children join Princess Penelope and her under-the-sea friends for a Spooktacular Dance Party where they can participate in line-dancing favorites as clouds of bubbles fill the evening air. The party kicks off in the front of the park every event night one hour before park closing.

Best Way to Play:

The best way for families to experience SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular – and save – is by purchasing advance tickets online at SeaWorldOrlando.com. Guests who purchase single-day tickets at least 1-day in advance can save $20 and visit the park for only $79.99.

For more information, park hours and to purchase tickets, visit SeaWorldOrlando.com. To keep up to date on park hours and events, follow SeaWorld’s social channels on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

Meet Mommy Blogger Amy Higginbotham At St. Augustine Outlets on May 20th

May 17, 2017 By Marijean

MEET MOMMY BLOGGER AMY HIGGINBOTHAM AT BANANA REPUBLIC FACTORY STORE IN ST. AUGUSTINE PREMIUM OUTLETS

Enjoy special perks in celebration of the start of summer wardrobes

WHAT: Area-moms are invited to a meet-and-greet with mommy blogger Amy Higginbotham of St. Augustine Moms Blog at Banana Republic Factory Store, located in St. Augustine Premium Outlets, on Saturday, May 20 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

During the event, shoppers will have to opportunity to visit with about mommy tips and take a look at her favorite Banana Republic essentials to rev up your summer wardrobe. Plus, enjoy an extra special perk of 50% off regular prices for a limited time.

For more information visit Banana Republic Factory Store in St. Augustine Premium Outlets or call 904-819-0206.

HOURS: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Sunday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

WHERE: St. Augustine Premium Outlets

2700 State Road 16

St. Augustine, FL 32092

MORE

INFO: Please call (904) 825-1555 or visit premiumoutlets.com/st-augustine for more information. Area shoppers looking for the latest deals, contests and event information can also visit St. Augustine Premium Outlets at www.facebook.com/staugustinepremiumoutlets or follow @staugustinepo on Instagram.

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

Sea World Orlando’s Orphaned Manatee Calf Starts Her New Life in the Wild

March 1, 2017 By Marijean

Orphaned Manatee Calf Starts Her New Life in the Wild

SeaWorld’s Rescue, Rehabilitation and Return Program Comes Full Circle for Blanche the Manatee

Almost three years after she was rescued, a female manatee has returned to the Florida’s natural waters. Amidst cheers and bittersweet tears, SeaWorld Orlando’s Rescue Team returned Blanche to Port St. John, Florida and watched her swim away, ready to begin her life in the wild.

On July 21, 2014, Blanche was an orphan calf, estimated to be only two weeks old, when she was found swimming alone in the Indian River. She was rescued by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and brought to SeaWorld Orlando. Weighing in at only 48 pounds and measuring 48 inches in length, Blanche required around-the-clock care, including regular bottle feedings. She responded well to the immediate care she received and continued to thrive at SeaWorld’s Manatee Rehabilitation Center. Each day marked another day closer to the ultimate goal of being returned to her natural environment.

One of the most critical components to manatee rehabilitation is weight gain. Rescued orphaned manatees must weigh at least 600 pounds before they can be considered strong candidates for return by the Florida Fish and Wildlife. Today, Blanche weighs an amazing and healthy 775 pounds.

SeaWorld Orlando’s Rescue Team and FWC recorded Blanche’s final measurements moments before release and fitted her with a belt that will allow the Sea to Shore Alliance to monitor her success and track her path in the wild. Blanche is the sixth rehabilitated manatee SeaWorld has released to the natural environment this year.

In collaboration with the government and other members of accredited stranding networks, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment operates one of the world’s most respected programs to rescue ill and injured marine animals, with the goal to rehabilitate and return to the ocean. SeaWorld animal experts have helped more than 29,000 animals in need – ill, injured, orphaned and abandoned – for more than 50 years.

Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership

As part of the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP), SeaWorld Orlando is an acute care rehabilitation facility that provides life-saving medical care to rescued manatees.

The MRP is a cooperative group of non-profit, private, state, and federal entities who work together to monitor the health and survival of rehabilitated and released manatees. Information about manatees currently being tracked is available atwww.wildtracks.org. The Florida manatee is at risk from both natural and man-made causes of injury and mortality. Exposure to red tide, cold stress, and disease are all natural problems that can affect manatees. Human-caused threats include boat strikes, crushing by flood gates or locks, and entanglement in or ingestion of fishing gear.

All manatee rescue footage is produced by SeaWorld under the FWS Permit Number MA7701911.

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

Celebrate Mardi Gras on February 28th!

February 27, 2017 By Heather Little

Laissez les bon temps rouler…let the good times roll! Mardi Gras is just around the corner, so it’s time to get your king cake, gumbo, a fancy mask, and some beads and hit the parade route!

Beads ready to be thrown…

So much fun!

For nearly 10 years, my husband and I lived just outside of New Orleans. Celebrating Mardi Gras became a Louisiana tradition for our family. While the city and the French Quarter has a reputation for partying and debauchery, Mardi Gras is actually a fun, family event that includes weeks of parades, balls, and celebrations. Krewes, or social clubs, host parades with elaborate floats, marching bands, performers, and of course, beads! If you’re lucky, you might also be able to snag a coveted doubloon, Moonpie, a stuffed animal, or a cup. People line up hours in advance of the parade to make sure they get the perfect spot to score the best throws. Custom built ladder seats give kids a great view of the fantastic themed floats. Each year, parades take place all along the Gulf Coast including not only New Orleans, but Mobile and in some Mississippi cities as well.

One of the amazing parade floats

A young parade-goer perched on her ladder seat ready to catch some throws.

Although it changes from year to year, Mardi Gras Day, or Fat Tuesday, is on February 28 this year. Unfortunately here in Florida, celebrating Mardi Gras isn’t too common, but if you ever have an opportunity to take in a parade, I’d highly recommend it! They really are fun, unique events like no other.

On a side note, Universal Orlando does hold a Mardi Gras celebration each year complete with floats, street performers, and beads. So while it might not be the “real deal”, if you’re at Universal, it’s definitely worth checking out.

Mardi Gras FAQ:

http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/faq.html

Universal Orlando Mardi Gras:

https://www.universalorlando.com/Events/Mardi-Gras/Overview.aspx

Heather Little

My name is Heather Little and my husband and I have two sweet girls and one crazy dog. We moved to Florida 6 years ago and have loved every minute of it! I enjoy crafting, good food, shopping, and of course travel!