Some friends of mine were lucky enough to walk the runway during the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York City last week. My six yr old fashionista daughter watched the video with me and decided she needed to have her own fashion show this morning, too. Hers came complete with stuffed animals to accompany her beautiful outfits. I gave her the royal treatment, playing music for her to strut to and snapping photos as she worked it. I did not take video but thought you might enjoy the photos. I still wonder where she gets this passion for fashion. It is not from me, that much I must admit.  She leaves me speechless all the time. #WordlessWednesday

From Animal Kingdom to Epcot, there are so many parks and fun things to do at Disney World, but in my opinion there is no comparison to the Magic Kingdom.

It’s my favorite. For so many reasons.

First, it’s the original.  It’s where I have so many fun memories of my own childhood.

As a child, it was fantasy, adventure, so many thrills all wrapped up into one.

As a parent, watching my children enjoy all it offers is simply magical.

Some wonder whether kids outgrow the Magic Kingdom.  I worried about it myself last year when I took my 17 yr old back for the first time in a good while.  But he told me it was still amazing, and Pooh and Tigger were still some of his favorite characters.

I guess you never outgrow the magic, huh?

I’m a warm weather girl but I think I might get used to ice skating a bit more often after the family fun we had today!

The girls convinced their dad to take them ice skating last weekend.  They had so much fun that they begged to go back again this weekend so they could show me just how naturally skilled they are.

I have to say they surprised me.  The 13 yr old is doing spins, balancing on one foot and jumping.  And the 6 yr old is out there with her dad, sliding between his legs and hopping back around holding just one hand.

We brought the guys along today and even they blew me away.  The 17 yr old was like a little speed racer out there, flying by everyone.  The 14 yr old struggled a bit, having an issue with the whole leaning forward part.

Even I impressed myself once I realized how important it was to have my skates tied really tight.  The 17 yr old was nice enough to hold my hand to try to hold me up the first time around the rink.  Pretty sweet, huh?   The 6 yr old was smart enough to realize she was better off holding her daddy’s hand if she didn’t want to fall.

We had so much fun together…seriously, the best time in months!  This time it’ll be me hoping we can go back soon.

My daughter FINALLY lost that loose tooth she’s been wiggling for weeks.  I’m telling you…weeks!

It happened at school today and she was so proud to show me her smile when she got home.

I’m so happy to know she didn’t lose it in her sleep where she was afraid she’d swallow it.

Funny what kids worry about, huh?

Meantime, she gets to add that tooth to her special kit I discovered when I was at the ABC Kids Expo last year (a huge expo for baby and kid retailers offering new products).  The folks who created this Complete Tooth Fairy Kit were kind enough to give me a kit to give my sweet girl after she lost her first tooth (a big event that this mommy had some serious guilt over missing!).

It’s pretty neat–complete with a door hanger letting the tooth fairy know where to stop!  I have a feeling we’ll be putting that door hanger to use tonight.

I’ve not always been a big circus fan, but the show at Philips Arena last night blew me away. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey^® FULLY CHARGED^SM show was amazing, on several levels.  We took our girls and they couldn’t get enough of the acrobatics, though the younger one loved it best when she saw the tigers.  She now wants a pet tiger.  I had a tough time convincing the husband to get a cat, so I don’t see that happening any time soon.

We actually entered early enough to be part of the All Access Power Up Pre-Show that starts an hour before show time and is free to all ticket holders.  The kids loved putting on the various costumes (they’re heavier than you’d think!) and trying out some of the tricks!  Enjoy the pics below and try to make it out if you can.

(Note to Readers:  We were provided tickets to see the show by the PR company working with Barnum & Bailey.  However, we still spent plenty on the snow cones, lights and stuffed animals and our opinions are our own.)

Cast Members: Amy Poehler, Bridgit Mendler and Carol Burnett in Los Angeles to promote the film.

My daughter and I got to see the new animated adventure “The Secret World of Arrietty,” last weekend and loved it.  The six year old felt it was a little long, but I enjoyed the entire tale, based on the acclaimed children’s book series “The Borrowers.”

Arrietty (voice of Bridgit Mendler), a tiny, but tenacious 14-year-old, little person who lives with her parents (voices of Will Arnett and Amy Poehler) , unbeknownst to the homeowner and her housekeeper (voice of Carol Burnett).   She comes out of the floorboards to “borrow” what her family needs to survive. But when 12-year-old Shawn (voice of David Henrie), a human boy discovers his mysterious housemate, a secret friendship blossoms.

Ultimately, their friendship puts Arrietty’s family in danger and they have to move.

The animation is amazing—adults will appreciate that.

Children will love the story of little people among us.

The English language version of “The Secret World of Arrietty” was executive produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall, and directed by Gary Rydstrom. The film hits theaters Feb. 17, 2012.

If you love to cruise and have some talent, Royal Caribbean Productions wants to meet with you in Atlanta on March 4^th.  The cruise line is holding talent auditions for singers, dancers and gymnasts.  It’s happening at the Atlanta Ballet. Royal Caribbean Productions is known for creating the largest premium entertainment operation at sea. The production staff is made up of award-winning creative professionals from Broadway, West End Theaters, broadcast TV and film.

These are the details you need:

WHO:               Atlanta-area dancers, singers and gymnasts are invited to audition. Auditions are for various roles between the ages of 18-40.

WHEN:             March 4, 2012, Dancers: Sign-in at 9:15 a.m., Audition at 9:45 a.m., Singers: Sign-in at 1:15 p.m., Audition at 1:45 p.m.

WHERE:           Atlanta Ballet, 1695 Marietta Blvd. NW, Atlanta, GA 30318, (404) 873-5811

REQUIREMENTS:         All participants should bring a current picture and resume.

Singers: Come prepared with sheet music in the proper key and 16-32 bars of a ballad and an up-tempo song. Must be able to sing various styles of music.

Dancers: Must be technically trained with a strong background in Jazz. Flying and tumbling skills are a plus.

BREAK A LEG!

Some incredible families from the Atlanta area are spending the next couple days living life to the fullest, putting their worries about the future on hold, thanks to Bert’s Big Adventure.

Bert’s Big Adventure hosted its big sendoff this morning with a fun 10^th anniversary party for families, friends and supporters.

That’s ten year that the non-profit, created by Bert from Q100 and his wife Stacy, has organized a group to send children with chronic and terminal illnesses to Walt Disney World®, along with their families.

At the sendoff this morning Bert’s Big Adventure announced it’s getting bigger, expanding their mission to Indianapolis and Nashville next year.

The party was hosted at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel Atlanta Airport where children enjoyed Nintendo Wii entertainment by Amusement Masters, outrageous hair styling by Bedazzle-Do, a special VIP section just for kids by Carter’s/OshKosh B’Gosh®, inflatable bounce houses,  Disney characters, face painting and magicians. Parents and adults also received celebrity treatment with hair and make-up applications by Balance Salon, and mini massages.

Families were also surprised with amazing gifts on top of the trip, including a specially planned wedding for one couple of a child with special needs, to be held at Disney this weekend, a check for $15,000 to help buy a new vehicle (for a family with two vehicles that quit running the same day), and a specially-equipped van with a wheelchair lift for another family, among other things.

The event, organized each year by Posh Tot Events, was incredibly special.  You can only imagine what the next few days will be like for these families!

Two of Bert's Fairy Godmothers

Dumbo is what made me fall in love with Disney.

I was just a tiny thing the first time I climbed into one of those magical elephants that could fly through the sky.  I had never done anything like it and it changed me forever.  It made me want to learn to fly.  Just like Dumbo did.

The movie always made me cry.  Dumbo went through so much to be accepted.  In the end, it was what made him different that made him really amazing.  That lesson stayed with me through my entire life and, to this very day, I look at Dumbo and know that he was my first inspiration.

Dumbo taught me that anything was possible if I would just believe.

Thanks Dumbo, and thanks Disney!

I was lucky enough to spend some time at Disney with some fellow blogging buddies as part of the Traveling Mom network.  While there, I asked them about their favorite Disney characters (especially princesses).  Listen to their choices, then leave me a comment below with your favorite (don’t forget to tell me why!).