Review of Thames and Kosmos Chem C1000 Chemistry Set

Location: My house! I got the Thames and Kosmos Chem 1000 Chemistry Set for Christmas

December 26, 2013

website: http://www.thamesandkosmos.com/products/chem/chem2.html

Price: about 60$.  Check Amazon.com

Best For: 10 and up, that's what the box says. Most 10 year olds would like watching the experiments, but the process part will be more interesting to kids that are really interested in science.  You have to be able to follow directions exactly. Little kids shouldn't mess with this.  It helps to have a parent with a background in science.

Rating: 4 1/2 stars so far

Most Interesting thing I learned: It's going to take a while to finish, there are 126 experiments, but it's very fun so far.

Thames and Kosmos Chem 1000 Chemistry Set

There is a long introduction before you start.  It was pretty boring, but I'm glad I paid attention.  My Dad and I are slowly working our way through the experiments.  We try to do a few each night.  Check the directions, the kit doesn't give you everything you need.  You need stuff like white vinegar and mineral water.  Some of the experiments have to sit overnight before you can continue. Read the whole experiment before you start.  Do them in order because everything you learn from one experiment will help you with the next one.  Sometimes you make a solution in one experiment and us it in the next one.  I don't think I can blow up the house with this.  I really enjoy it but I have only completed about 4 experiments.  I'm going to add more information and a few videos of my favorite experiments soon.

Here's what the kit looks like from the outside

 Here's what's inside.  They give you a special tool, but still the tubes of chemicals are pretty hard to open.

Review of Disney Magic Kingdom

Location: Orlando, Florida

August 17-24, 2013

website:  disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/magic-kingdom/

Attractions:   It's a theme park for families.

Price: It varies depending on how many days you go, but it isn't cheap

How we got there: Airplane to Orlando then rental car

Best For: All ages but I think the little ones - up to 8 years old - will like it a bit more

Rating:  4 1/2 stars, they need some bigger roller coasters

 Rainbow over the Castle at Magic Kingdom

Most Interesting thing I learned: I like Magic Kingdom again! I almost stopped going because the rides and stuff are mostly for little kids. Then they put the new "Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom" card game in, now people from age four to grandpas come just to play this game, but more on that later.

Space Mountain
  This roller coaster tries to be realistic, you go on a mission to space with lots of drops and turns. The roller coaster isn't smooth.  My Mom doesn't like it because it rattles all her teeth.  The one in Disneyland is smoother.  This is a roller coaster in the dark, it goes pretty fast and you can't see where you are going.   You don't sit side by side, you sit in a row. Being by themselves in the seat freaks some kids out.


Thunder Mountain  
  This roller coaster isn't as scary as Space Mountain, you can see where you are going.  It's fun to be on this one when the fireworks are going off, there is no wait and you can ride and see fireworks at the same time.  It starts off in a cave, there are fake bats and it's pretty loud. People are laughing and having a good time on this one, it's not scary for little kids.

  
Splash Mountain
  There is a good chance you will get splashed on this ride, especially if you are on the front.  The rest of the ride you float around a river with singing frogs and little animals. There are two small drops that are no big deal and one big one. We went on it once with 2 kids, their Mom didn't ride with them.  One of the kids was afraid of the dark, and going down drops.  He spent most of the ride trying to get out, we kept telling him he couldn't.  When it went down the big drop at the end he was screaming and my Dad had to hold him in his seat.  We should have bought that picture.

Country Bear Jamboree
  This is a 20 minute show were animated robot bears sing.  It's great if you need to be somewhere air conditioned for a while.  The show is cute, they tell corny jokes.  

Haunted Mansion
  This might scare younger children but there isn't a height limit.  At first you go into a room that's an elevator, the lights go out and there is a scream.  You want to be near the picture of a lady on a tightrope over an alligator since that's where the exit is.  Everybody gets shoved into a small space to go to the place to get on the carts, it would be easy to get separated from a little kid here.    You ride along in a black, round cart, 2 regular sized parents and one kid is the limit.  Nothing really pops out in your face, but you do go slowly backwards at one point. There are skeletons in a graveyard that sing, part of the story that you see is about a woman that marries men and kills them.  Younger kids might not get this.  At the end they project a ghost into your cart and say he will follow you home. 


Little Mermaid Ride
  It's the same kinds of carts as the Haunted Mansion only they look like clams.  It's really cute, it tells the story of the Little Mermaid.  The "Under the Sea" section is really fun.  There is usually a line for this, go during the fireworks.  At Disneyland there is no line at all for this.

Speedway  
  Drive a fake race car on a track.  I'm really bad at driving these and it makes my Dad laugh and say "I can't wait until you get your license."   They don't let smaller kids drive alone.

Tea Cups
  Spin till your parents think they will barf. 

Be our Guest Restaurant
  This is very cool, you eat in the ballroom of the Beast's Castle and the west wing.  At one end of the ballroom there are windows and it's snowing outside. The Beast will walk through once or so during your meal, and you can take a picture with him on your way out.  The food is very good.  You can even try the "Grey Stuff," it's delicious.  You have to make reservations very far in advance for dinner, if you have less than 90 days you can try to have lunch there but there will be a big line.

Also in this area is a shop that sells Beauty and the Beast things, and Gaston's Tavern.  It looks like it does in the movie, with a big chair for Gaston.  Gaston comes and walks around the fountain in front of the tavern sometime.

The Grey Stuff

Update:  The Grey Stuff 2014, there is a Brownie underneath the icing.

Crystal Palace Restaurant
  This is really good for kids, because it has Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Eyeore and Piglet that come by for pictures and have a parade for the kids.  It's a buffet meal, and it's pretty expensive and it's not a quick meal.  If you're looking for something faster and cheaper, try Peco's Bill's Tall Tale Inn. Again, you'll need reservations unless you are going at a time when it's not busy.

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Card Game
  Each person that comes in the park can get 5 cards for free to play the game, plus a key card to keep track of the game and a map to show you where the portals are. You can get the cards at the Fire Station on Main Street, if that's too crowded go to the Christmas shop in Liberty Square.  The card station is right behind it.  You go to the portal and hold up your key card on the lock, the game shows a video to tell the story of villains taking over Magic Kingdom and you have to stop them by holding up cards. You can play the game at the beginner level with the free cards no problem.  There is some strategy that is involved at the higher levels.  You can also buy packs of cards plus one power card in the Emporium for $13.95.  The power cards are the best and will help you defeat the villains quicker.
  People sit at tables in the back of the Tortuga Tavern and trade cards.

 

Here's what a portal looks like before you activate it.  Just like part of the wall.

Here's what a portal looks like after you activate it.

 

They sell this book to keep your cards in.  Who wants to drag this around a theme park?  Get a 80 card collectable storage book at a collectable card store AKA Nerd Central Station.   They also sell 80 card books in the Japanese section at Epcot.

Review of It'Sugar - Candy Store in Washington D.C.

Location: 714 7th St NW
(between N H St & N G St)
Washington, DC 20001

September 7, 2013

website: http://www.itsugar.com/

Attractions:  A candy store with cool stuff

Price: Very expensive candy here, it adds to about $12.00 a pound, don't go wild

How we got there:  Metro to Metro Center, then we walked a few blocks to Verizon Center

Best For: Middle school and up, some of the candy and magnets have some pretty mature stuff printed on it. The whole store is not really for little kids.

Rating: 4 stars

Most Interesting thing I learned: You can buy a Rice Crispie treat that's as big as a doormat.

You can buy all sorts of different candy buy the pound, they have lip gloss in strange flavors and lots of trinkets with funny sayings.  I'd' go there for some cute trinket for a friend, but I'd buy my candy at Target.

 

Here's the front of It'Sugar

 

You can get a 5 pound Gummy Bear

Here's a big box of Nerds

Review of Universal Studios Islands of Adventure

Location: Orlando, Florida

August 17- 24, 2013

website:  https://www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Parks/Islands-of-Adventure.aspx

Attractions:  Harry Potter World, Water rides, Voyage of Sinbad show, etc. 

Price: It varies, but it's not cheap.  If you are going more than 2-3 days a year it's better to get season passes.  Don't buy a 2 park pass if you are going to spend all day in one park.  We saw some people who bought a 2 park pass and spent all day in Universal Studios, by the time they got to Island's of Adventure it had closed.  These parks don't usually stay open late.

How we got there: Airplane to Orlando then rental car

Best For: 6 and up- but there is a Suessland for the littler kids

Rating: 5 stars for Harry Potter, 4 1/2 everywhere else.

Most Interesting thing I learned: I get taller and shorter throughout the day. You're probably wondering about the statement so here it is. I walk in to Harry Potter World, excited because the height tester at the entrance showed I was tall enough to ride Dragon's Challenge and the Incredible Hulk.  So I stand under the height tester at Dragon's Challenge.  I'm tall enough, I go on the coaster and I love it.  A few hours later my family walks over to the Hulk, I'm so happy because I've never been before and my Dad has been telling me how great it is.  I get under that height tester and I'm close to 1 inch too short.  The worker isn't at all interested in the fact that I measured 52" at Dragon's Challenge and sends me off.  The moral of this story is, if you are close to 52" watch out.

Important tip:  At Universal they make you check your backpacks on all the good rides.  Anything other than a pair of glasses or a hat has to go in the lockers.  If it doesn't fit in your pocket it can't go on the ride.  The lockers are free, and you can use them for a half hour, but it's a hassle getting your stuff in and out, especially if the lines are short and you want to go on the ride again.

You really get wet on the Popeye Water Ride. Wear ponchos, don't forget your ponchos, seriously, you are going to need a poncho for this, one more thing, BRING A PONCHO.  A big plastic bag to put your stuff in is a good idea.  They have a spot in the center of the rafts to store stuff but it's not going to keep everything totally dry.  It's at least twice as long as any other raft ride I've been on.  Other raft rides might get one or two people in the raft wet, this gets everybody wet and then gets them wet again.  And again.

You are going to get wet on the Dudley Do Right sawmill ride too.  The big drop is bigger than any regular other log ride at other parks.

Dr. Doom's Drop Tower is the world's lamest ride.  They probably spent millions of dollars on the decor to make it scary, "Turn back, you're going to die."  The ride is very disappointing, you think this is going to be soooo scary, the ride shooms up very fast.  My Dad is laughing which means he's having a good time.  We stop not even halfway up the tower, and at zero miles per hour we go down, back up and then back down no faster than a slug.  I've been on elevators that have moved faster than this.  If you are serious about enjoying thrill rides as I am, don't bother with this one.

I wouldn't know about The Incredible Hulk Roller Coaster because some meanie wouldn't let me on, but from the looks of it, and what my Dad told me it's a really fast roller coaster that goes upside down has lots of drops and is great fun. It looks like you get splashed, but you really don't.  Get in front if you want to see where you are going, the line is longer to get those seats.

Spiderman is a motion simulator ride, the cars go up and down and spin, you wear 3D glasses.  It's a combination of movie and scenery. The layout is a lot like Transformers but it has a better story. Younger kids might be better off without the 3D glasses so they won't get scared.  You can still see what's happening on the screen, it's just not as freaky. Great for fans of the ultimate Spiderman TV show on Disney XD.

Harry Potter World
#1 must do ride, The Forbidden Journey is pretty much the first 3 Books/Movies of the Harry Potter series.  It's a motion simulator that seats 4, you see a combination of movies and scenery.  You don't go upside down, but you do go on your back.  This ride can freak out people who are afraid of spiders, heights, dragons breathing hot fire in their face, or ghostly dementors. You might need to shut your eyes in some parts.  Flying around the Quidditch tournament and flying up to Hogwarts at the end of the ride are great fun and very realistic.

If you don't go on the ride, you can still walk through the castle for a tour, this is worth it as it is very cool.  You can see the sorting hat, Dumbledore's office, the gardening area and the talking pictures, One of the classrooms has a dragon skeleton hanging from the ceiling, and it snows every once in a while in that room.


#2 must do ride, Dragon's Challenge is a real roller coaster, it goes upside down and is pretty smooth.  It's very fast. It is a long walk to the ride,and it gets pretty dark sometimes it gets hard to see.

Flight of the Hippogriff is a very tame roller coaster, it's pretty much a Barnstormer if you have been to Magic Kingdom. But towards the end of the day the line gets much longer than the line should be for such a short ride.

The whole area is interesting, they have the engine to the Hogwarts express for pictures.  You can try out wands in Olivander's where they have a little show and one person get's picked to try out wands in the show. If its a hot day you will have a long hot wait.  They have good food at the Three Broomsticks.  If you look carefully you can see the shadows of owls flying around. There is a candy shop, and lots of places to buy souvenirs.  Don't forget to try the Butterbeer.  The frozen kind is really good,  it tastes like butterscotch soda, it's very sweet.  The women's bathroom is haunted by Moaning Myrtle. You can hear her telling stories and complaining.

Hogwarts

Sorting Hat

Honeyduke's Candy Shop

Sinbad Show - Every time I go to Islands of Adventure, I try to see the Sinbad show because it's soooo good.  It has a lot of stunts and explosions, there are loud noises that might scare very young children.  There is a splash zone, but there is just a little splashing.  It's a 4 1/2 star show, it's an action comedy romance. They've got a hero, brave princess, sidekick and bad guys. Stay at the end of the show, you can have your picture taken with the cast, but be one of the last people to get your picture taken with the villains or else water from their masks will get dumped on your head.

We eat at Mythos - it's a sit down restaurant that's really good.  I like the decor, it's an interesting design to show gods and goddesses.  They will give you a guide to show you who is were.  They have very good tomato soup and bread.  My Dad likes the risotto, and all of the desserts, the service is friendly and the waiters will give you lots of good information about the park.

 I don't think it's a good for a restaurant to have a guy puking on the front

Jurassic Park Playground is a good place to run around.  There are lots of nets and places to squirt water on people.

The Fight of the Pterodactyl is a fun ride, it's not scary if you aren't afraid of heights,  but it can only take 2 people at a time so the line is really, really, really, really long.  Go on this first thing.  You have to bring an adult to ride with you.

Review of Universal Studios Orlando

Location:  Orlando, Florida

August 17-24, 2013

Website: https://www.universalorlando.com/

Attractions:  The Mummy's Revenge Roller Coaster,  Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket, Animal Show, ET Ride, Simpson's land etc. etc.

Price: It varies, but it's not cheap.  If you are going more than 2-3 days a year it's better to get season passes.  Don't buy a 2 park pass if you are going to spend all day in one park.  We saw some people who bought a 2 park pass and spent all day in Universal Studios, by the time they got to Island's of Adventure it had closed.  These parks don't usually stay open late.

How we got there: Airplane to Orlando then rental car

Best For: 6 and up

Rating: 4 1/2 stars

Most Interesting thing I learned:  The Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket line is always longer than it looks.

Universal Studios Orlando

Important tip:  At Universal they make you check your backpacks on all the good rides.  Anything other than a pair of glasses or a hat has to go in the lockers.  If it doesn't fit in your pocket it can't go on the ride.  The lockers are free, for a half hour but it's a hassle getting your stuff in and out, especially if the lines are short and you want to go on the ride again.

The Transformer's ride is pretty hard to take seriously if you are a girl.  It's a ride where you sit in a little box with 16 other people and wear 3D glasses.  It moves on a track, but it's not a roller coaster, it's a motion simulator.  Every time I saw Octimus Prime I almost laughed my head off because it looked so stupid.  They kept telling us we had to protect some diamond while giant robots punched each other and then turned into trucks. This ride had a huge line because it just opened, go in the single rider if you are dying to ride it.  If you want to go on a ride like this with your family, go on Spiderman in the next park over.  At the end of the ride they say "The world thanks you." and then you get dumped in the gift shop.  It's a bad ride based on a bad movie.  I don't recommend it.

Simpson's Land just opened when we got there and it's a must see.  Everything looks so real, it's exactly like the TV show.  They have a food court inside and behind Moe's.  There is one new ride the "Twirl and Hurl" If you are looking to spin, this is not the ride you want to go on.  It does not twirl, and I didn't feel a bit sick after going on it.  It's a disgrace to it's name.  The actual Simpson's ride cracks my father up.  This is a must ride.  It's a motion simulator and a comedy for all ages.  Look out for the quote "No one ruins my vacation but me, and maybe the boy."

My favorite ride is the Mummy's Revenge.  Younger kids might find this ride a bit scary, because of how real they make the mummy look.  I find the waiting line scarier than the ride.  I think it's the second most thrilling ride in the park.  It's one of the smoothest roller coasters so it's easy for people that don't like roller coasters.  Even my mother loves this one, and she hates lots of roller coasters.  It goes backwards, at one point you think it's over but it's not.  There is a lot of fire effects and robot mummies.  When you think the ride is over, and it starts up again, make the "FACE OF FEAR" to the camera on your right when you go down the drop.

The kids area has a Barney Play section that I haven't been into because I'm 10 and it might give me a rash.  I'm not sure little kids know who Barney is anymore.  The rest of the Mouse playground is pretty fun, it has a giant waterslide.  If you don't want to get wet, pull back on the handlebars the entire time.  Some of the areas are specifically for younger kids and they keep older, bigger kids out.  This includes the ball pit and the bounce house.  There is a Woody Woodpecker roller coaster that is pretty much like the Barnstormer at Magic Kingdom.  It goes up, down and swerves to both sides.  It's a good first roller coaster ride for little kids.

The ET ride is pretty much a cross between Peter Pan and the Little Mermaid, with aliens.  The waiting area is like being in the movie.  Before you get on the ride, you get a card and it puts your name in a computer, if you are lucky, ET will say your name and that you're his friend at the end of the ride.   

The Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket is a great ride, but it starts off going straight up and that makes me uneasy.  For littler kids it's really hard to pull the safety bar over and down, the workers have to get it.  You get to pick songs from 2 different categories. Pick it quick, if you have to mess with your safety belt you might not have time to pick and a random song will come on.

Men in Black might scare little kids, especially if they are afraid of alien monsters, but it is loads of fun and very true to the first movie.   There is lots of interesting stuff to look at while you are walking to the ride. This is a target shooting game, it spins at one point but it isn't a roller coaster.  It doesn't go very fast.  Shoot as many of the aliens as you can, the world depends on it!  Push the red button the second you are told to get 100,000 more points. At the end they "erase" your memory just like in the movie, and let me tell you, it works, I had no clue what happened and had to ask my Mother. 

My Dad really likes the Blue's Brother's show, across from the Mummy Ride.  People my parents age and older dance around like loons in the street.  I like the show but I haven't seen the movie.

The Beetlejuice show is good for kids who like classic rock sung by monsters. 

The animal show is worth seeing.

The best place to have lunch is on Fisherman's Wharf, they have a big fish tank in the restaurant.

They are building a new Harry Potter Ride in the park, that looks like it will be very cool.  We saw a You Tube video of an animated version of the ride but it looks like it's been removed.

Tips for Kids - Orlando Theme Park Vacation

If your family is only going to go to Disney once or twice ever, kids should be 6 or 7.  If you are only going to Universal, kids should be 8-9.  Legoland is good for kids 10 and under, or kids who like Legos no matter what age they are.  They have playgrounds and rides kids can go on by themselves.

Check what days the parks will be open and plan out what you are going to do each day.  Sometimes they have parties for an extra fee at Magic Kingdom and it closes at 7:00 for everybody else.  The Universal parks don't stay open late, Epcot always closes at 9:00.  You don't want to be surprised if you go to the park on the day it's going to close early.  You also don't want to miss out if a park that usually closes early stays open late.

NEVER go on Spring Break, it's too crowded and the first line you'll be in is a line to walk to another line.

Take a travel blanket for the plane, even in the summer they can be cold.  Also it's good for the hotel room.

You can take your own water and snacks into Disney and Universal parks.  I strongly suggest this is as food is pricey.  If you have a fridge in your room, freeze the water bottle so it stays cool all day.  Any of the drink stands will give you ice water for free.

Wear comfy shoes - you're going to walk a lot, we once walked 12 miles in a day.  Croc's are good for the plane.  They are also good if it's going to rain during the day as your feet won't stay wet.

Most likely you will go to one park each day, save your money and don't buy the park hopper passes.  It takes a while to leave one park and get to another one so it's not worth it, especially getting into and out of Magic Kingdom.

Check the cost of annual passes, if you go 2-3 days a year to Universal or 9 days a year to Disney it's worth it to get the annual pass.

At Universal, don't buy a 2 park pass if you are going to spend all day in one park.  We saw some people who bought a 2 park pass and spent all day in Universal Studios, by the time they got to Island's of Adventure it had closed.  These parks don't usually stay open late.

If you go in the winter, bring fuzzy clothes for the evening.  You can rent lockers to hold them in the day.

Take a little backpack or totebag in your luggage.  You can keep just what you need for the plane ride in that and put your carry on in the overhead bin.  Sometimes the plane is full and they make you check your carry on.  This way you can carry on just what you need.

Don't bring a lot of extra stuff for the hotel.  People pretty much go to a park all day, come back to the room, shower and sleep.

Get some glow sticks at the Dollar Store and for your family to wear after it's dark.  If everybody in the family has the same color glow stick bracelet or necklace it makes them easy to find.

At Universal they make you check your backpacks on all the good rides.  Anything other than a pair of glasses or a hat has to go in the lockers.  If it doesn't fit in your pocket it can't go on the ride.  The lockers are free for a half hour, sometimes longer if the wait for the ride is long, but it's a hassle getting your stuff in and out, if the lines are short and you want to go on the ride again.  It also gets hard to remember your number after you've had a bunch of different lockers. 

At Disney you can take small backpacks on rides, they have lockers at the front of the park for a fee.

Here's a picture of how the My Disney Experience App Works

Update Jan 2014 - coming soon, read all about the Disney Fast Pass Plus

Review of Massanutten Waterpark

Location: Massanutten VA

August 3, 2013

website:  http://www.massresort.com/v.php?pg=4

Attractions:  Flow Rider, water slides, lazy river, wave pool, kiddie pool, kids play area with a bucket that dumps water, obstacle course and basketball in a pool.  Hot tubs for adults and not so hot tub for families.

Price:  38$ each, smaller kids cost less.  There is a military discount as well. You can pay to rent a locker and get some of the money back when you return the key.

How we got there: Drove. It's 2-3 hours outside of Washington D.C.  You could go and come back in a day.

Best For: Kids 6 and up, kids who can swim. 

Rating:  5 stars

Most Interesting thing I learned:  I can ride on a Flow Rider backwards! On purpose!

Massanutten Waterpark 

The water park has pools, hot tubs, slides, it's great for family fun.  There is an arcade in the building above the waterpark.  The water park building has a buffet, and snack bar areas. The slides that don't need a tube don't hurt your back or give you a wedgie (unlike Atlantis, see my review on that.)  In the outside wave pool, waves go for 15 minutes, then there is an 8 minute break.  Little kids shouldn't be in here without an adult, the waves make it deeper than you expect.  The Flow Rider was my favorite part, it's like a fake wave that you can ride on a boogie board. Most of the time, the staff here lets you have two tries.  Chances are, on your first try you're going to get blasted off the back of it. If you know how to do this and you get blasted off doing a really cool trick they might not let you have another try. This isn't for very little kids, or very big adults. Girls should wear a one piece, boys shouldn't have loose swimsuits. The line is shortest at the beginning and the end of the day.

The outdoor part of the water park closes earlier than the indoor part.  Check the website for exact times before you go.  It's also not open every day year around.  Make sure you have good weather for this, we went on a day that was a little cool, it's better when it's warmer.

P.S. Massanutten is the Native American word for "Get your credit card out this is gonna cost ya."

Review of National Dance Day - Kennedy Center

Location: Kennedy Center, Washington D.C.

July 27, 2013

website:  http://www.kennedy-center.org/index.cfm

Attractions: Dance Performances and Demos

Price: Free

How we got there: Metro, get off at the Foggy Bottom Stop and take the free Kennedy Center bus

Best For: Kids who love to dance, kids older than 8

Rating: 3 1/2 stars

Most Interesting thing that I learned: Someone invented National Dance Day

National Dance Day

I thought it would be different.  I thought they would have several performances or lessons going on at once so you could choose.  They had one stage, dancers would do a dance and then demonstrate steps to the audience.  They needed to separate the people that wanted to watch the dance from the people that wanted to learn to do the dance.  I couldn't always see the instructors as people who just wanted to watch were standing in the way. Sometimes with little kids on their shoulders. This year was the first year they did it, so I'll try it again next year to get the entire scoop.

Here was the schedule, the jazz dance section was the best.  We left before 6 as it was going to rain.

EVENT SCHEDULE
1–5:30 p.m. on the South Plaza
Free performances, dance lessons, interactive dances with Jeannie "Kitty of the City" Jones as MC
Dizzy Feet - Everybody Dance and Hip-Hop Master Class dance routines with Joshua Allen, 2008 winner of So You Think You Can Dance
Esperonto Bean and Stefani Thomas – House
DEA Youth Dance Program Partner, CityDance - Modern
Doonya Dance – Bollywood
Flamenco Aparicio Dance Company – Flamenco
Joy of Motion Dance Center's Youth Dance Ensemble – Modern
Just Tap – Tap
Lesole's Dance Project – African
Nomad Dancers – Persian
Dr. Janaki Rangarajan – Bharatanatyam
Smooth & EZ – Hand Dance
The Washington Ballet @ THEARC – Ballet
Doug Yeuell - Broadway jazz class

6–7 p.m. in the Grand Foyer
Founder's Day Celebration: The Manzari Brothers and Culture Shock, a performance that honors James A. Johnson, Kennedy Center Chairman Emeritus and Millennium Stage founder

8–11:30 p.m. on the South Plaza
"Dancing Under the Stars" with live music by Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra with Tito Rodriguez Jr.
8–9 p.m.: Salsa dance lessons with Eddie Torres and Shani Talmor
9–10 p.m.: Live music and dancing
10–10:30 p.m.: Second salsa lesson with Eddie Torres and Shani Talmor
10:30–11:30 p.m.: Second set of live music and dancing

They had one stage, and everybody stood in front to watch or dance.  These are the Nomad Dancers

Review of Sky Zone - Chesterfield Mo.

Location: 17379 Edison Avenue, Chesterfield Mo

July 13, 2013

website  http://www.skyzone.com/stlouis

Attractions: Trampolines. There is a large area, one small area for dodge ball and another one for aerobics.  there is another place where you can jump in a pit of sponges.

Price: $9 for a half our of trampoline time, you must pay $1.50 for the special trampoline socks and you get to keep them.

How we got there: Drove

Best For:  All ages mainly teens. Smaller kids could get trampled on a trampoline. 

Rating:  4 1/2 stars.

Most Interesting thing I learned: Dodge Ball can be very intense.

Sky Zone - Trampoline Adventure

Sky zone is a very fun place. If they had one where we live I'd want to go all the time.  You can really wear yourself out here.  It's good for days that are too hot, cold or rainy to go outside, or pretty much anytime you want to jump. A half hour is about right for bouncing.   We did an hour once and it was too long.  My parents really thought it was too long.  Be very careful if you go out for Dodge Ball on a trampoline.  I don't think it's recommended for people over 30, and it seemed to be mostly High School boys.   Leave everything you can in the car (cell phone, camera, wallet) You are going to sweat a lot.  They have water fountains, but bring water from home just in case.  

  Here's what the large area looks like.

Review of Six Flags St. Louis

Location: 4900 Six Flags St Louis Railroad, Eureka, MO  It's about 45 minutes west of St. Louis

July 12, 2013

website:  http://www.sixflags.com/stLouis/index.aspx

Attractions: It's an amusement park, seriously.

Price:  about 42$ each.  We got tickets at Dierbergs (that's a grocery store)

How we got there: Drove

Best For:  kids 5 and up.  For the good rides you have to be at least 42".  There are only a few rides where you have to be 54".

Rating:  5 stars

Most Interesting thing:  They have awesome squid hats.

Six Flags
This is a cool place, they have a water park as well as the amusement park. There are lots of roller coasters.  Screaming Eagle, The Boss and American Thunder are wooden roller coasters.   They have a great water ride.  I saw a grown man had peed his pants on the Highland Fling.  That was the last time I rode that ride for the day as I'm not sure they wiped off the seat and I don't know where he sat.  I also saw an old Grandpa with a cane ride this, but he loved it.  So it just depends what kind of rides you are into. There is a section of the park for little kids, with playgrounds and smaller rides.  The thing about Six Flags is that you don't want to carry anything that can't fit in your pockets.  You have to put your stuff in lockers that cost $1 per ride or $5 for a few hours.  This gets old quick.  I'd bring your cell phone, an ID and a credit card.  Leave everything else in your car.  You can bring water into the park, but that's it.  All backpacks are searched and they will take away your snacks. This year we went on a Friday, it wasn't too crowded, but next year we might try to go earlier in the week.

The Boomerang, this was the scariest roller coaster I was tall enough to go on.  There were 2 other roller coasters that I was too short for.  I'll try next year.

They have a lot of carnival games. You can win a squid hat or a friendly looking fish.

Review of City Museum St. Louis

Location: 701 North 15th Street, St. Louis - look for a building with a Ferris wheel on top

July 11, 2013

website:   http://www.citymuseum.org/site/

Attractions: art, slides, hamster wheel, and lots of climbing tunnels made of wire. 

Price: General Admission
(3 years and up)
$12.00 plus tax
Fri & Sat arrive after 5pm, $10.00 plus tax
(The museum currently only accepts cash, visa, mastercard and discover)
The Roof
+$5.00 plus tax, you can go on the Ferris wheel and a school bus that hangs over the edge of the building.  You can also ride the elevator to the 10 story slide.
World Aquarium
World Aquarium is available only with CITY MUSEUM admission
+$7.95 or +6.00 after 5pm Friday and Saturday.

How we got there: Drove

Best For:  Kids who aren't afraid of heights, kids you can trust not to get lost. You have to climb through lots of little spaces

Rating: 4 stars

St. Louis City Museum

Have a meeting place, this is huge.  There is a skateboard park that you play on with out skateboards, they act as slides, there are caves underneath with amazing creatures made out of cement.  There is a forest area where you climb through tree roots and branches.  There is a turtle tank, with fish.  The big thing is a 10 story slide, you have to go up 10 stories on a spiral staircase to get to it.  That's pretty freaky, even for my Mom.  They have stuff inside and outside to climb on.  Kids in middle school might be just right for this, you could lose a smaller kid in the caves easy.  Much bigger than middle school and they don't fit in all of the places.  There is an area for smaller kids, and they even have a train for them to ride.  There is a circus, a shoelace factory and a place that sells donuts inside.  There are also two places to eat.  The best thing is the big hamster wheel.  It's big enough for 3 or more adults to get inside.   You have to crawl on your hands and knees after you come out of one of the slides, it's great for kids, not so much for adults.

They have 2 ball pits, one for little kids, one for big kids and adults.

Here's the whale, you can walk through and lots of slides are inside.

Review of St. Louis History Museum

Location: Forest Park St. Louis Mo

July 11, 2013

website:    http://www.mohistory.org/

Attractions: Mini (not many!) museum exhibits. Worlds Fair in 1904, St. Louis before and the fair.  They have temporary exhibits, a NFL Football Hall of Fame exhibit is there for a few more months

Price: Free, but you have to pay for special exhibits, the football one was $12

How we got there: Drove

Best For:  visiting kids13 and up - but all kids in St. Louis should go to see what happened in their town.

Rating: 3 (would have been 2 but they have really good sugar cookies in the cafe)

Most Interesting thing I learned:  Ice Cream cones were invented at the St. Louis Worlds Fair.

St. Louis History Museum

This museum is small, and you can look at it all in an hour or so. It was good to see the worlds fair stuff.  There is a section on musicians from St. Louis and you can listen to their songs.  There was a section on baseball, which is big in St. Louis.  There are little play stations for the younger kids. At one they can build a fighter jet out of plastic parts.

Review of Brunswick XL St. Peters Mo

Location: 8070 Veterans Memorial St. Peters Mo.

July 10, 2013

website:   http://www.bowlbrunswick.com/about-us/253/

Attractions: Bowling alley, laser tag, arcade

Price: varies; The arcade games range in price from .25 to $2.50.  You load money on a card for the games. You can buy one game of laser tag, or unlimited laser tag for $9.99.  Bowling is the same way.  Check their website. Also, the Brunswick company has an offer for kids to get one game of bowling a month free if they sign up online. 

How we got there: Drove

Best For:  Kids 9 and up.  Lots of teenagers go there.

Rating: 4 1/2 stars

Most Interesting: If you just stand under the target and shoot rapidly you'll get somewhere in the rankings on laser tag.

Brunswick XL

Wow!  This place was fun. It was like Chuck E. Cheese for 9 and up.

Bowling - Best Bowling Ever!  If you need bumpers, they pop up automatically when it's your turn to bowl.  This way the whole family can bowl together if others in your group don't want to use them. They have comfy couches to sit on when you aren't bowling, and the scoreboard has funny cartoons showing what the bowling pins are thinking after you bowl.

Laser Tag - Wear dark clothes. This was the nicest place for laser tag I've seen.  It wasn't completely dark, but it was dark enough so that you couldn't see anyone's faces. It was light enough you could see the walls before you ran into them.  The safety video was pretty funny.  I know we should take it serious because it's the safety video, but it was hilarious. Unless you have a huge group, you'll be playing against people you don't know.

Arcade - They had a lot of different games, including skee ball and a giant Connect 4.  The prizes will change, I won a stretchy lizard for 25 points.  You can get some awesome stuff if you have a lot of points, but it doesn't take a lot of points to win prizes like candy or plastic lizards.  I'd think you'd wind up spending about 20 bucks for 2 people to play.

Review of Kennywood Amusement Park

Location: 4800 Kennywood, West Mifflin PA

July 5, 2013

website:   http://www.kennywood.com/

Attractions: Rides, Rides and more Rides

Price:  about 35$ per person - coupons are available at Giant Eagle (that's a grocery store)

How we got there: Drove

Best For:  all ages

Rating: 5 stars

Most Interesting thing I learned:  Kennywood was built  in 1898 so workers in the steel mills would have places to take their families on their days off. They still have steel mills there and you can see them on the way to Kennywood.

Kennywood 

 

This is Cosmic Chaos - it's very fun, you spin and almost go upside down.  I'm on there somewhere.

The Racer is one of the oldest coasters.  There are two trains and they race.

 

 They have pretty good soft serve ice cream here.

Kennywood has lots of roller coasters, even roller coasters from the 1920's that are fun to ride, and they have modern ones like the Phantom's Revenge too.  It's interesting to see how roller coasters and amusement park rides have changed.  Some of the rides that my Grandparents went on when they were in high school are still there, like the Kangaroo.  Some of my favorite rides were Phantom's Revenge, Cosmic Chaos and Swing Shot.  They have an area with smaller rides for little kids.

Review of Pittsburgh Children's Muesum

Location: 10 Children's Way Pittsburgh Pa

July 6, 2013

website:  https://pittsburghkids.org/

Attractions: Art room, water fun area, craft area, spaces for little kids, stage, outside play area with musical swings.  There is one room with new exhibits every few months.

Price:  Adult: $13
Children 2-18: $12
Senior Citizen: $12
Children Under 2: Free

How we got there: Drove

Best For:  12 and below

Rating: 4 stars- it is a great place but in all fairness I'm 10 now and I don't know how much longer I'll want to go.  It was really fun for me when I was a few years younger. My parents couldn't get me to leave.  It's still fun, but it isn't as magical for me as it was.

Most Interesting I learned:  How to use a big loom. 

Pittsburgh Children's Museum 

The Art Room has printing and other things to do that change periodically.  Once they had a potters wheel.

I got to invent my own patterns and they posted them behind the loom so others can use them.

This is one of the top 10 children's museums in the US.  There are lots of hands on stuff, and parents enjoy playing with it too. They have areas for younger kids.  My recommendations are; the garage room slide, the gravity defying room in the place they call the attic and the theater.  Sometimes they have actors put on shows for families.  When they aren't having shows, kids can play on stage and come up with their own shows. 

Review of Atlantis - Paradise Island Bahamas

Location: Paradise Island, Bahamas

June 22-29, 2013

website:   http://www.atlantis.com

Exhibits: Water park, dolphins, walk through aquariums

Price:  Check their website, to use the water park you can stay at Atlantis, Comfort Suites or come for a day on a cruise ship.  We stay at Harbourside, http://www.atlantis.com/accommodations/harborsideresort.aspx it has a washer and dryer plus a kitchen.  

How we got there:  Airplane and taxi

Best For: Kids 5-6 and up.  Before 5 they won't remember it anyway

Rating:  5 stars - this place is amazing!

Most Interesting Thing I learned: The dolphin trainers can tell the dolphins apart by looking at their fins.

Atlantis

Here I am in Bahamas - I went NUTS!!! 

Where do I start! This was so much fun, from the water park, food, to just walking around in town.

Water Park:

The water park is huge, my favorite part is the river ride, it has a wave machine and rapids.  The river ride is like a mile long and takes about 20 minutes to do one loop.  This ride is pretty rough for little kids, they should be able to swim, be comfortable in the water and not be afraid if one minute they are in their tube and the next minute are thrown in the air by a wave.  Even in a life jacket (provided by Atlantis) this is more than some smaller kids can take.  One parent should go around first and see if it's OK.  When you are in the river ride, you can choose to go down the rapids or go up the Power Tower (water slide tower) by a conveyer belt that tows you to the top.  You don't have to walk up steps unless you want to go on some of the more scary water slides. People loose sunglasses, hats, wallets, ID cards and just about everything in here.  Guys shouldn't have anything in their back pockets, because it will come out, and I found a lanyard with someone's cruise ship ID.  I recommend going early in the morning or late in the evening before it gets crowded. Tuesday and Wednesday are less crowded, since there aren't as many people from cruise ships on those days.  There is a tamer river ride by the Beach tower.

Make sure your kid is over 48 inches if you want to go on the slides.  They really measure, and a little bit under doesn't count. There are some slides where you go down in a tube - the serpent slide goes through the shark tank and it's really cool. The Falls and the Drop in the power tower are also fun.  Parents don't usually like the slides that you go on without a tube.  You can get major back burns and wedgies. 

We also went on the shallow water dolphin experience. You can't wear any jewelery, we didn't know that before hand and my Mom had trouble getting her ring off. It was scary for some of the smaller kids.  One of the little girls was screaming the whole time.  You stand in about 3 feet of water and get to play with a dolphin.  They take your picture a lot - so you can buy them later.  The Trainer for a Day program would be really fun but you would have to be more than 12.  I'd like to hear from someone who did this.

Cartoon Network had a promotion at Atlantis, but it's just there for the summer, there are TV shows and movies on a big screen at the beach .  They had an obstacle course floating in the lagoon. It was free, but you have to sign up, and you get about 30 minutes to play on it. You have to wear life jackets they provide.  Kids under 16 need to have a parent with them on the obstacle course...the whole time.  My Mom recommends parents just stay in the water and float around by their kid for 30 minutes, climbing back on the raft is tough.

Here's a picture of the kids pool.  The back has slides and nets or stairs to climb up, it's really for smaller kids, at 54" you are too tall and can't use it, so enjoy it while you can. The water is about ankle deep there.  The front part of the pool can be dangerous for little kids as it gradually gets deeper, and can be over small kids heads.  This pool get's pretty disgusting, so look out, as little kids have issues with puking, pooping and swim diaper loss. When this happens they close the pool for an hour.  This happens a lot.


Earth and Fire Pottery Studio is in the Beach Tower.  Each year we paint something and they have different stuff each year. They have added making a picture out of bits of glass too.  This year I made a Mom and Baby dolphin.  If you are going to do this, don't go on your last day, it takes more than 24 hours for them to fire it for you.
 

Where we ate:
To get to town you can walk over the inbound bridge, it's a long walk and will take you about 45 minutes.  You can take a taxi for $4 per person, or you can take a ferry boat - also $4 per person.  The ferry boat goes when it's full, so you can sit there a while.  While the boat is moving, a guy gives a speech about Bahamas and then asks for tips.


Food is very expensive in Bahamas, as just about everything (but fish) has to be brought in from somewhere else. We bring some snacks to eat for breakfast, have food at the pool at lunch (hot dog, drink and chips $9 or nachos $6.50) and have a really good dinner.  Atlantis has some less expensive options, there is a Quiznos and a Starbucks, but everything is higher than U.S. prices, plan ahead.  We haven't been to the Fish Fry just past downtown, but it's always mentioned as the most reasonably priced place to eat.

Luciano's of Chicago http://www.lucianosnassau.com/  is right over the inbound bridge.  You can walk over the bridge, make a right and walk about a block or take a taxi.  The food is amazing, they have seafood, steak and pasta.  Their mashed potatoes are marvelous.  This used to be an old house, so it's pretty cool inside.  You can eat inside, outside under the porch and outside on the patio.  They have great views of the harbor and Atlantis.

Cafe Matisse  http://www.cafe-matisse.com/ is downtown by the Parliament building on Charlotte Street.  If you are downtown at lunch this is a great place to go.  They have excellent pasta and I really liked their minestrone soup.  They charge for each iced tea, refills aren't free.

Poop Deck http://www.thepoopdeck.com/ is left over the outbound bridge about 2 blocks or take a taxi. I like the fried plantain and rice.  My parents like the fish.

Seafire Steak House http://www.atlantis.com/dining/finedining/seafiresteakhouse.aspx  This is in Marina Village, I like it, but I liked it better when they had tomato soup.  The portions aren't that big, but if you eat yours and your kid's you'll regret it, my Dad did.

Chop Sticks  http://www.atlantis.com/dining/finedining/chopstix.aspx This is in the Coral Tower, they had really good Chinese food and excellent egg drop soup with corn.

Carmines http://www.carminesnyc.com/locations/atlantis-bahamas/  This is in the Marina Village, it's a family style restaurant with big platters to share.  They have never seen one person eat one platter.  We had angel hair pasta, sauce and meatballs.  We took what was leftover back to the room and my Dad ate it for breakfast for the next 4 days.

Review of African Drum Circle

Location:  Markham Virginia - usually once a week, there are other locations as well, check with instructor

May 19, 2013

Teacher's web site:  mawuyadrummers.com
He also has a CD of his music "Deep Roots Zimbabwean Drums" that's very good.

Price: $15 for a 1/2 hour lesson

How we got there: we drove 

Best For: 8 and up, kids that like music.

Rating: 4 stars - I'd go more often if it weren't so far away.

Most Interesting Thing I learned:  If you hands feel itchy you are doing it right, but you have to drum more to get used to the feeling.

African Drum Circle 

Learn how to play the drums a bunch of different ways. The teacher, Jona Masiya, studied drums in Africa, got music degrees in collage, and is really amazing at drumming. In the class, you get to play games with rhythm in a group. Check the website above to find out when and where the next lesson is and make reservations. The teacher was really good with kids (like me) who had never done this before. Also, the he lets you put your own style into the music when the group is playing. The instructor has drums for the class, but some people bring their own.

Review of Barrel Oak Winery (BOW) Guest Review by "Adventure Kid"

Location: Grove Lane, Delaplane, VA  20144

May   27, 2013

website:  http://www.barreloak.com/

What’s there: Vineyards and open barn-like structures with places for adults to wine taste and buy food and other beverages. There are lots of picnic tables and doggy stations. You can go and see how they make the wine with your family for free.

Price:  Free entrance   How we got there: Route 66 West to exit 23 for US-17 N/VA-55 W toward Delaplane/Paris. Go .4 mile. Turn right onto State Rd. 713 / Maidestone Rd. Go 115 Feet and take first right onto County Rd. F185 (Grove Lane). BOW on left. Best For: Dogs and kids of all ages. Parents and grownups only can drink wine.
Rating:   5 stars   It was very interesting because of the dogs. I think it would be more fun going with another family.

Most Interesting Thing I Learned: BOW makes 24,000 gallons of wine right there.

Place: Barrel Oak Winery

  

What I did there: Check their website to see if they are having a special event.  Today, my family ate very good quality pizza. It was baked in a wood fired oven and mine was prosciutto and pineapple. I got to see what a husky and a beagle mix looked like. They had live  music for Memorial day.  It was very interesting because it was a live band. It was the 5^th anniversary of the winery. Saw funny things (little girl throwing a soccer ball at a trashcan using a badminton racquet). Spigots in the restrooms were cool because they looked like the ones on rustic barrels. P.S You can arrange a private tour at info@barreloak.com.