#OutandAboutAva/Family Fun

Family Friendly events with my daughter

#outandaboutAva visits the @American_Girl Store for Holiday Shopping, Bistro Dining and More! 

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We are in Charlotte,NC where a visit to the American Girl store in the SouthPark Mall is a must do experience! Our daughter, now age 6, was very excited to take her GOTY doll, Gabriela McBride, with her for the first time to enjoy afternoon tea at the Bistro, ear piercing at the doll salon and some holiday shopping. Not only did my husband,daughter and I enjoy our family date, but we got the opportunity to #givewhatcounts to our child. American Girl brand inspires all to create memories that will last thru the holidays and beyond!

THE BISTRO

Good eats, delightful sweets and for your doll a special seat..that’s what you can expect at the Bistro. We went during their special Holiday Tea event, which included a deliciously different menu of teatime treats, a craft, and fun conversation with the holiday Table Talkers. We made a fleece headband to keep the dolls’ ears warm on chilly days, and a holiday-card-making craft. It was great way to start the holiday season with a special teatime together and a couple of crafty projects!

DOLL HAIR SALON

Recently, #outandaboutAva got her ears pierced just in time for her photo with Santa and thought it would be great to have her doll’s done too! At the American Girl Doll Hair Salon you can get a “Gabriela Girl of the Year Ear Piercing”, which is an exclusive ear-piercing service available only for the Gabriela™ 18″ doll. It was a quick service for her doll, which included her signature earring set. The music note studs are so adorable, I wish I had a pair! Pampering services and hair styling services are also available at the salon. It was so fun to see the dolls get a new look!

SHOPPING

Christmas is just days away and if you are still looking for ideas to gift your girl then look no further than American Girl. They have gifts that will teach her that “little moments of kindness can only come from big hearts”. I decided to treat my daughter to an early gift to celebrate her courage in performing in her first solo ballet recital a few days ago. It was practiced as a duet but in the last moments, she had to do it by herself. That experience helped build her confidence and allowed her to let her spirit shine.

To help her with backstage jitters, we were able to discuss how her American Girl doll Gabriela loves to perform and express herself thru dance just like her. Gabriela’s story inspires creativity and even when its not easy, she uses her talent to help those around her. So for both, my daughter and Gabriela, we got matching girl & doll PJ sets, which are on holiday sale until 12/24/17. We are planning an NYE ‘family date night in’ which is a together tradition we do and you can bet these fun, matching pjs will come into play. Find creative tips on planning the ‘Ultimate Sleepover’ inspired by American Girl’s ‘A Year of Slumber Parties’ book.

SobeSavvy Tip: Now-Thru December 31, 2017 while shopping at any American Girl store in the U.S., American Girl will match any customer donation to the American Red Cross, up to $75,000 maximum. Tied to the debut of its newest BeForever character, Nanea Mitchell—a Hawaiian girl growing up in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1941 during WWII, American Girl is supporting the American Red Cross and their Service to the Armed Forces mission
to provide care and comfort to members of the military, veterans, and their families. Donations can also be made at americangirl.com.

On Jan 1, American Girl is introducing Luciana Vega, the 2018 Girl of the Year. She comes with her cool line of space inspired products (like a Mars habitat and flight suit!) AND an out-of-this-world storyline about an 11-year-old who dreams of being the first person on Mars. American Girl worked with NASA, including a task force of advisors (scientists, astronauts, and more) who helped ensure the accuracy and authenticity of Luciana’s world—from her story and products to a STEM-based educational program in partnership with Scholastic and Space Camp.

We plan to head to the Raleigh,NC temporary store to celebrate her launch. AG is hosting Luciana debut events at its retail locations nationwide on January 1. The event features interactive science demonstrations, a Moon Phase craft, galaxy-inspired treats, and a free Luciana doll tee to take home. For more details, visit americangirl.com/retail.

Check out more of our in store experiences on You Tube and see a glimpse of how magical it is! Enjoy..thanks for reading..and Happy Holidays 🎅🎄💖🎁

Family Fun|Opening Night Review #DisneyOnIce presents Dare to Dream @PNCArena in #Raleigh 12/6-12/10!

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​Disclosure: I received complimentary tickets to review the show, however any opinions are my own.

On Wednesday Dec 6, my husband, daughter and I joined other families for a chance to celebrate what’s possible at Disney On Ice presents Dare To Dream! Now showing at the PNC Arena until Dec 10, 2017, this show follows the adventures of five daring Disney heroines who’s mission is to spark the courage inside us all. Here is more about the show:

In her Disney On Ice debut, see how far Moana will go when she embarks on an action-packed voyage with mighty demigod Maui in a quest to save her island, become a wayfinder, and find her own identity. Anna’s devotion to her estranged sister Elsa sets her on a perilous journey to mend their bond, and stop an eternal winter. Rapunzel breaks out of her tower and teams up with an unlikely companion, Flynn Rider, as she goes to great lengths to realize her dream. Armed only with courage, Belle befriends the enchanted castle staff and learns to look beyond the Beast’s rough exterior. With help from her friends and a little magic, Cinderella is determined to make the wish in her heart come true. Hosted by Mickey and Minnie, discover why no dream is too big when we find the strength to shape our own destiny at Disney On Ice presents Dare To Dream!

SobeSavvy Tip: Make sure you get there early to have some time to walk through the concourse and browse some of the novelty stands. There is plenty of awesome Disney merchandise to choose from!

There’s also face painting and a Disney photo booth to enjoy prior to the show or during the brief intermission. A keepsake mug is a must for our daughter. So after some high level discussions on what style of cup she wanted, we settled on a souvenir Mickey Mouse snow cone mug and some cotton candy {which comes with a crown with Mickey Mouse ears}! 

We got to our seats just in time as the lights were dimmed and the show began. Belle from Beauty and The Beast, Cinderella, Frozen’s Anna & Elsa and Moana were the heroines of the evening. Each main character had their own unique elaborate sets and scenes straight from the big screen played out on ice with plenty of special effects and all the sing along sets we have come to love. Watching my 6 yr old enchanted by all the Disney Magic just made me feel like a kid myself all over again. He denied it, but I swear I caught my husband singing along with a ‘Shiny’ singing crab from Moana! I mean when was the last time you saw a crab dance and skate on ice?!

Disney is known for putting on a top notch show, whether on land or ice and this one did not disappoint. It snowed, got windy, had aerial acrobatics and even had a huge dancing horse. It’s a whole lot of magic and family fun with important life lessons for everyone. The Disney Heroines reminded us to face fears, be courageous, dare to dream and ……. ⤵

Join the magic now until Dec 10 at the PNC Arena. For more information about the show go to http://www.disneyonice.com. Tickets are available for purchase >>> here. 

Watch this video of more #DisneyOnIce magic moments from opening night here in Raleigh,NC at PNC! 

Enjoy Holiday Shopping, Food & Fun thru Dec 24th @BmoreChristmas @BaltimoreMd #BmoreChristmas

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Christmas Village in Baltimore | SobeSavvy.com

Are you ready to shop, dine and be entertained this holiday season? If you are local or have plans to Visit Baltimore, make sure to go to Christmas Village in Baltimore for an experience you will never forget! Celebrating its 5th Anniversary Season, this Authentic German Christmas Market is open now thru December 24, 2017. I went with my husband and our daughter on opening day (Nov. 23 Thanksgiving) and we had so much fun at the Christmas Village, located at the Inner Harbor/West Shore Park. (Between the Maryland Science Center and Visitors Center.) 

You’ll find places to explore both outside and inside at the Christmas Village which has over 50 vendors where you can shop from a truly distinct selection from hard to find international items to seasonal and holiday gifts. We picked up some wooden ornaments from Myroslava Creations for a $1 that our little one can not wait to hang from our tree!

Christmas Village in Baltimore | SHOP for the Holidays

This festival features all things that Germans find dear about celebrating the holidays the German way.  And if you work up an appetite while shopping, you can nosh on Bratwurst, Schnitzel, Gluhwein and more! A hot chocolate with deluxe toppings of whipped cream/ marshmallows served in a collectors mug is a must have for everyone to take home. On weekdays they have wine tastings with Boordy Vineyards and  a “Ho Ho Ho Happy hour” where you can hang out for drinks and snacks with your friends and catch live performances daily!

Christmas Village in Baltimore | FOOD – Enjoy European Specialities & Beverages

In addition to daily live entertainment on the event stage, Christmas Village in Baltimore has a weekend line up of events. SobeSavvy Tip: Admission is free weekdays and this 1st weekend! Today for the opening weekend, you can meet the original German Christkind. Since I knew we would miss it, we took advantage of the fun photo op to turn into the German equivalent to the American children’s Santa Claus. She represents the spirit of Christmas in Germany and will be at the opening ceremony on Saturday, November 25, 2017. 

Christmas Village in Baltimore | FUN for everyone!

So grab the entire family and go experience the German way of celebrating the holidays. See for yourself why this has quickly become a Baltimore favorite. Go to WWW.BALTIMORE-CHRISTMAS.COM for more information. Fröhliche Weihnachten….which means Merry Christmas in German! 

Check out my video photo recap >>> here and make plans to visit this authentic German Christmas market for an experience you will never forget!

Christmas Village in Baltimore

501 Light St

Baltimore, MD 21230

#NC Holiday Happenings | #NCChineseLanternFestival @BoothAmp #KokaBooth in Cary Opens Nov 24 -Get Tix Now! 

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North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival Guide

Looking to experience something magical with your family this holiday
season? Look no further than the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival at the Koko Booth Amphitheatre in Cary,NC. Back for it’s third year, SobeSavvy.com attended a media preview of this delightful exhibition and enjoyed learning what it takes to make these larger-than-life holiday lanterns! 

North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival |CHINESE LANTERN-Traditional Lamp and Palace Lanterns are very distinctive to the handicrafts which represent happiness.

Hundreds of artistic hand-made lantern displays are spread throughout the expansive grounds, including the spectacular 200-foot Floating Chinese Dragon on Symphony Lake. Each of these magnificient lanterns are shipped from China where artisans hand make the silk fabrics that cover a steel frame. These frames are then lit underneath to give them a bright colorful and warm lighting
effect that is spectacular to see up close! The color red is found throughout most displays due to that color in particular means good fortune in Chinese culture.

North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival | THE CHINESE LANTERN GALLERY – Since lantern handicraft appeared 2000 years ago, every year before and after the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first month of the Chinese lunar calendar, people would hang up the red lanterns, which symbolize reunion and happiness, to create a festive atmosphere

Last year, my family and I attended the opening night in 2016 and was amazed at the beauty and artistry of Chinese cutlure displayed in an authentic way. There are hundreds of all-new lantern displays for the whole family to enjoy! Our daughter really enjoy seeing the animals, flowers, shapes and even Santa all aglow! Some of them even spin, twirl and move! Her favorite was the PANDA PARADISE, which we learned that pandas are a symbol of peace in China.

North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival | PANDAS !

Festival Admission includes Chinese cultural performances, martial arts as well as artisan craft-making. Three performances take place each night where visitors will get a chance to see traditional dance, acrobatics, drum performances and more. We got a chance to have a sneak peek of Chinese Cupe Diablo, which is a form of juggling that has evolved from 12th Century Chinese yo-yo, consisting of an axle and two discs spun using string attached to two hand sticks. Check out my short video clip below : 

SobeSavvy Tip: See Daily Chinese Cultural Art Performances: Tuesday thru Sunday 6:30P | 7:30P |8:30P    

EVENT DATES/TIMES

November 24, 2017 – January 14, 2018
Tuesdays – Sundays: 6pm – 10pm (Closed Mondays. Except Dec 25 & Jan 1)

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE!

To purchase tickets over the phone, call ETIX at 1-800-514-3849

In person at the venue Box Office:

BOX OFFICE HOURS
Tuesday-Friday 12 p.m.-6 p.m. EST
On Festival Days (Nov 24 – Jan 14):  Tuesday-Friday 3 p.m. – 9 p.m. EST
Saturday-Sunday 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. EST
Closed Mondays

Ticket Prices
Kids 2 and under FREE
Ages 3 – 17 – $10.00
Adults ages 18+ – $15.00

PARKING IS FREE at the venue

HOLIDAY TREATS
Venue Concession Stands will be open selling a variety of food, beverages & Holiday Treats.


DISCOUNTS
Discounts available on SELECT nights only: TUESDAY-THURSDAY & SUNDAYS:
$12.00 FOR SENIORS 55+, COLLEGE STUDENTS WITH ID & MEMBER OF THE MILITARY WITH ID
We offer no discounts on Friday, Saturday & Holidays nights. (Holidays are December 24, 25, 31 & January 1) 

North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival | Media Preview Recap by SobeSavvy.com

I definitely recommend you adding this to your holiday to do list of events to check out on the Triangle. Go see why the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival has quickly become a popular holiday tradition. Bring your family, tell your friends and see this wonderful display of Chinese culture before it ends! 

Check out my video photo recap here from the media preview night! Enjoy and be sure to tag your photos including #KokaBooth and #NCChineseLanternFestival ! 

“Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair” @ncartmuseum Upcoming Events + Giveaway #NCMAEbony

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Have you seen the new exhibition at NCMA yet? Recently, I shared with you my Top 5 Reasons To Visit North Carolina Museum of Art Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair Exhibition and I wanted to follow up with some related events you do not want to miss! I also have a #SobeSavvyGiveaway for one lucky reader to win a girls night out to a special event that I will share at the end of this post. 

Here are some upcoming events that I wanted to make sure you had on your radar to go check out. These popular ticketed events sell out quickly, so reserve your spot early! Visit mcartmuseum.org/ebony for more details.

NCMA Fashion Show Ensembles on Display at Crabtree Valley Mall ~ Opening Reception Sat. Nov 11, 12-2pm

Opening Event-Runway Fashion Show in Celebration of Inspiring Beauty | Photo Credit : NCMA

The 12 ensembles from the opening night fashion show event in celebration of the NCMA’s fall exhibition Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair is on display from November 5th thru 17th at Crabtree Valley Mall.

You’re invited to an opening reception to celebrate this pop-up on Saturday, November 11 from noon to 2 pm, where the designers will be floating around to talk and answer questions, as well as representatives from the NCMA.

Shoppers will have the chance to see the ensembles and snap a photo in front of a life-size magazine cover. You’ll be able to get an up-close look at the looks, including the three winners of the evening, in a pop-up fashion show! Whether you missed the opening event or were able to attend, this is a great way to see those fabulous ensembles from North Carolina’s rising designers again.

Located on Lower Level A near H&M, the looks will be on view each day during mall hours (Monday through Saturday, 10am-9pm; Sunday 12pm-7pm). This is a FREE EVENT and open to the public.

Desiree M. Hendrick, North Carolina A+T State University – first place winner | Photo Credit : NCMA        

Family Fun Saturday: Ready to Wear Art ~ Workshop Sat. Dec 9, 10 am-12p, 1-3pm  

#outandaboutAva enjoys Family Fun Saturday: Couture Cloth workshop at NCMA

There is something for everyone to enjoy and themes to explore while viewing this exhibit. Because I am a mom of a young fashionista, I was happy to see that NCMA had youth/family programming and workshops developed for Inspiring Beauty. On November 4th, my husband and our daughter enjoyed a Daddy-Daughter date at NCMA for Family Fun Saturday: Couture Cloth. Inspired by the colors and patterns found in the clothing on view in Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair, families with children ages 5-11 created their own patterned and printed fabric to make a dynamic work of art! Our little one had so much fun using materials to stamp, write, iron and paint onto her own masterpiece.

In December 9’s workshop, participants will cut, shape, and build a wearable artwork fit for the runway. This family friendly workshop is $5 for Members, $8 Nonmembers and held in the East Building, Education Studios.

Young Artists at Work – Family Fun Saturday at NCMA

SobeSavvy Tip: Let your college student know there is a Free College Night on Friday, November 17, 7-10pm. Admission is free with college ID. No ticket required. This event will pay homage to the five decades of fashion on view in Inspiring Beauty and will feature student work, contemporary dance, and a DJ. Students are encouraged to dress for the runway!

Behind the Seams–Girls in Gowns in the Gallery ~ Special Event 

Girls in Gowns in the Gallery at North Carolina Museum of Art exhibition ‘Inspiring Beauty’

Grab your girls and get ready to twirl in your best gowns on Thursday, November 30 at 6:30 pm in the East Building for a special event~ “Behind the Seams–Girls in Gowns in the Gallery”.  You’ll have a chance to stroll the galleries, enjoy a cocktail, have your lip print analyzed, tour Inspiring Beauty and much more! . Cocktail and treats included. Event ends at 9pm.

#SobeSavvyGiveaway: Behind the Seams–Girls in Gowns. One lucky winner and her guest will enjoy an ultimate girls night out! Enter SobeSavvy Giveaway>>>HERE. Winner will be chosen randomnly on November 16, 2017. GOOD LUCK! 

Be sure to follow @SobeSavvy, @NCartmuseum and share your experience on social media using hashtag #NCMAebony. I am excited to attend the ‘Behind the Seams–Gurls in Gowns in the Gallery’ and will be sure to share some highlights with you. Stay tuned and remember to support the arts!

*UPDATE-CONGRATS TO MARTAMIQUE A. WINNER OF THIS #SobeSavvyGiveaway!*

North Carolina Museum of Art

East Building

Meymandi Exhibition Gallery

October 28, 2017- January 21, 2018

Top 3 Reasons to Visit @NCZoo this Fall! #FamilyFun #NCZoo #VisitNC

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Leslie Heigh, Founder of SobeSavvy.com and daughter, #outandaboutAva enjoy their first visit to the NC Zoo

The North Carolina Zoo has been on our list of family fun things to do since we moved here a couple of years ago. It is located in Asheboro, NC., which is just a short one and half hour ride from Raleigh, making this the perfect place to spend a Sunday Funday with my husband and our 6 yr old daughter. Take a peek at our visit to the zoo on YouTube here. We had a blast!

North Carolina Zoo | Grab a map ~Get ready to explore! 

Before you go, know that this zoo is HUGE! This conservation park has 500 acres to explore making North Carolina Zoo the World’s Largest Zoo. The map showed us that there were two areas to see- North America and Africa and it was suggested that it would take two to three hours to tour each region. In total, your trip to the zoo could be 4 to 6 hours of fun! We did not see everything, but that’s ok since we do plan to return in the spring when the zoo hours are longer and the seasonal attractions are open daily from April-October. The Park is open all year except for Christmas Day.

North Carolina Zoo | The World’s Largest Zoo!

Besides the obvious reasons of lesser crowds and cooler weather, here are my Top 3 Reasons to Visit NC Zoo this Fall ~

  • Gorgeous Fall Foliage and over 52,000 plants throughout the zoo!Not only am I an animal lover but I love nature. The autumn leaves were a sight to see when we arrived at the zoo! I was really impressed with the upkeep of the grounds and enjoyed the beautiful environment. With hiking trails thru swamp-like areas, streams, prairies, gardens, and grasslands, North Carolina Zoo in the Fall is such a scenic experience.

    North Carolina Zoo | Tropical Plants – Aviary

North Carolina Zoo| 52,000 plants throughout the 500 acre conservation park

  • Discover more than 1,600 animals ..and maybe take a selfie with one! This zoo has major animal habitats and you can find animal feeding schedules posted on the website, at the plazas or even at the animal habitats. Meet the keepers and find out about conservation efforts. This zoo’s mission is to help protect animals around the world and a visit here supports efforts to save endangered species. There are such a variety of animals here that you are sure to see your favorite! 

    North Carolina Zoo | Elephants

    North Carolina Zoo | Giraffes & Zebras 

  • Learn and Play ..all in one day! This zoo is definitely kid-friendly and educational, which makes this a great activity to do in the Fall because your child may reflect on this for school assignments. With a dedicated Kidzone and playground, there were many opportunities for my 6 year old to enjoy just being a kid. Inside the Forest Aviary, we enjoyed stopping by the cart and learning about birds. Did you know that birds bones are hollow?! It’s one of the reasons they can fly and we can not. There were many interactive areas, hands-on activities and informative fun for everyone! Check out more photos on my Facebook page.

    North Carolina Zoo | #outandaboutAva enjoys Playdoo fun in the KidZone

    North Carolina Zoo | Stop by the NC Zoo Smart Cart

​SobeSavvy Tip: In celebration of Veterans Day, NC Zoo is offering Veterans & Military free admission Nov. 10-12.

Be sure to visit NCZoo.org for a complete listing of family-friendly weekend activities and find out how to become a member of the NC Zoo Society! We had so much fun and look forward to more future trips. Tell me…

Have you ever been to the NC ZOO? 

NORTH CAROLINA ZOO

4401 Zoo Pkwy

Asheboro, NC 27205

Theatre Review|#GraceForPresident Wins My Vote for #FamilyFun ! @RLT1936 @NCmuseumofhistory 

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Raleigh, The votes are in…Grace For President is a win-win! A must see for families who enjoy seeing theatre that is fun for everyone. This play is based on a children’s book, Grace For President (if you haven’t read it, head to your local library to check out this wonderful book) …

…by Kelly S. DiPucchio, with illustrations by LeUyen Pham. It’s now playing at the North Carolina Museum of History as part of the Raleigh Little Theatre Family Series. The book, music and lyrics for this production are by Joan Cushing and will run from October 13 thru October 22, 2017. 

This inspiring tale empowers little girls to believe they can achieve anything, to work hard to be the best person for the job and never rest on being the popular choice. The whole family can enjoy this musical experience and follow Grace’s ambitions as the story unfolds. If you saw my recent #SobeSavvyGiveaway post, I shared the plot of this play in detail as well gave away tickets to see this show. I had a chance to see the Saturday night show with my #HeighPartyof3 and we loved it! Take a look at some of the amazing talent from the local actors ranging from 13 to 21 years old that brought this story to life: 

  • Left to Right: Anthony/Mr. Waller (Matt Ellington), Robbie (Blake Rose), Mrs. Barrington (Emma Johnson), Grace (TaMya Bland), Thomas/Henry (Logan Harrison), Sam (Keith Petersen), Rose/Mrs. Phillips (Jessica Soffian), Carla (Stacey Mejia-Montano)

  • Grace Campbell (TaMya Bland)

  • Mrs. Barrington (Emma Johnson)

  • Thomas/Henry (Logan Harrison)

  • Anthony/Mr. Waller (Matt Ellington)

  • Rose/Mrs. Phillips (Jessica Soffian)

  • Carla (Stacey Mejia-Montano), Sam (Keith Petersen)

Photo Credit: Brandi Swarms 

Admission Prices: Adult ($15), Children ($11) Tickets are available for purchase online or from box office at 919.821.3111 *Seating is General Admission. The show is about an hour long with no intermission.*

SobeSavvy Tip: Go one hour before the show for a “Grace” inspired gallery hunt in the Museum, to create your own campaign button to take home and pose for a selfie as a future North Carolina Hall of Fame-er! Take a look at our #GraceforPresRLT selfies here⤵ 

 https://www.instagram.com/p/BaPh8wXBBtD/

Although based on a fictional book, this play was full of fun facts about our Presidents, American History and how Election Day works! I would recommend this educational musical for everyone, especially any aspiring young leader you may have in your family. Buy tickets TODAY and make plans to see Grace and her classmates discover what it takes to be the best candidate and find the fun and hilarity in the wonderful world of politics! 

This event is presented by the Raleigh Little Theatre http://raleighlittletheatre.org/                

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube

*Single tickets on sale for the 2017/18 Season of Groundbreakers.

North Carolina Museum of History
Daniels Auditorium
5 E. Edenton Street
Downtown Raleigh






#Raleigh, Win Tix To See @RLT1936 ‘s #GraceForPresident @NCmuseumofhistory #FamilyFun

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Grace for President, a play based on the book by Kelly S. DiPucchio, with illustrations by LeUyen Pham, is coming to the North Carolina Museum of History as part of the Raleigh Little Theatre Family Series. The book, music and lyrics for this production are by Joan Cushing and will run from October 13 thru October 22, 2017. *One lucky SobeSavvy reader will have a chance to win a family 4 pack of tickets to see the play on Friday Oct. 20, 2017, 7:30pm Entry details will be at end of this post.*

If you are not familiar with this childrens book, it is an inspiring tale that empowers little girls! The whole family can enjoy this musical experience and follow Grace’s ambitions as the story unfolds. Here is the plot: 

One day in class, Grace Campbell discovered that there has never been a female president. “Where are the girls?” she asked, as her third-grade teacher rolls out a poster of all 44 U.S. presidents. Frustrated by the lack of female faces in the White House, Grace decides she wants to be president and inspires a school election. She seems the likely winner until the most popular boy runs against her. Through the throes of campaigning and pep rallies, service projects and posters, Grace and her classmates discover what it takes to be the best candidate and find the fun and hilarity in the wonderful world of politics!

Tickets are available for purchase online or from box office at 919.821.3111 *Seating is General Admission

SobeSavvy Tip: Go one hour before the show for a “Grace” inspired gallery hunt in the Museum, to create your own campaign button to take home and pose for a selfies as a future North Carolina Hall of Fame-er!

#SobeSavvyGiveaway Details: In partnership with Raleigh Little Theatre, I am giving away 4 tickets for 1 winner to enjoy this family friendly show on Friday, October 20, 2017 at 7:30pm . To enter, click >>>HERE. Winner will be chosen randomly on October 13. 

Good Luck!   (..and be sure to stay tuned of my review of this show. I can’t wait to see this play with #outandaboutAva)

North Carolina Museum of History

Daniels Auditorium 

5 East Edenton Street

Raleigh, NC 

*Update–Contest has ended. Congrats to Rada Mills! Thank you all for entering !*

Recap|Open House @HubbsCornMaze + Enter Giveaway to win #familyfun day! #10yearsofhubbs #VisitNCFarms

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On Tuesday, September 19, 2017 SobeSavvy.com was invited to join Media, Corporations and County Officials to Hubb’s Farm & Corn Maze Open House with Lunch on the Farm. It was my first time visiting their farm, located in Clinton, NC, and I (along with my guest Cecilia from Food Diary of a City Girl) had a blast! Take a look at the youtube video below to see how we all embraced our inner child at the Open House!

https://youtu.be/n0thUhdNNUY

I’m giving one lucky reader a chance to have a blast with their family and win a ‘Crops of Fun’ day this Fall at Hubb’s Farm and enjoy their upcoming family events. (Keep reading for details on how to enter the giveaway.) But first let me share with you why Hubb’s Farm should be on your to -do list of Fall Fun activities.

Hubb’s Farm ‘Crops of Fun’

Hubb’s Farm 10th annual Fall Festival and Corn Maze is under way with two new additions to the popular attraction – Paydirt Pete’s Treasure Mine, where visitors “mine” for treasures, and a mini zip line. During the open house, we all had a chance to experience all the activities but mining for treasure was unique. I not only hit ‘paydirt’ but got to take the gemstones I learned about and discovered home with me as a nice souvenir.

Paydirt Pete’s Treasure Mine at Hubb’s Farm

  

Mini Zipline at Hubb’s Farm

The 10-acre corn maze promotes this year’s theme: Carolina Gold Rush, celebrating the discovery of gold in America, which occurred in North Carolina. Hubb’s Farm bills itself as “Growing Crops of Fun,” with activities that include a pumpkin patch, tractor-drawn hayride, a double-barrel 17-foot giant slide, a giant jump pillow, Rope Mountain, Cranky the Combine, Animal Acres, “Crops of Fun” Play Land, Toddler Town, Giant Sand Box, House of Corn, Human Foosball, the Hubb’s Express Train Ride, a covered picnic area and more. I especially appreciated how clean the farm was and how thoughtful they were to include a ‘Baby Hubb’ area for new moms to have a comfortable place of their own!

The Baby Hubb at Hubb’s Farm

Now that you know some of what to expect at Hubb’s Farm, make plans to attend the Fall Festival event, held each weekend through Nov. 11 with the farm opening on Fridays from 6-10 p.m., Saturdays from noon-10 p.m., and Sundays 1-6 p.m. In addition to the fun themed weekend activities, Hubb’s Farm promotes education with school tours for kindergarden-3rd graders in the fall and spring. Each school tour includes educational elements from history to math.

Events at Hubb’s Farm

Themed weekends include: Hay Bale Festival, Sept. 23-24; First Responders’ Weekend with Blood Drive, Sept. 30-Oct. 1; Thank A Farmer Weekend and Overalls Pageant, Oct. 7-8; Pirate Invasion, Oct. 14-15; Freedom USA Weekend, Oct. 21-22; Scarecrow Express and Halloween at Hubb’s, Oct. 28-29; Tough As A Farmer Competition, Nov. 4; Smashing Pumpkins Sunday, Nov. 5; and Last Dance, Nov. 11. 

Map of Hubb’s Farm

It was a pleasure to meet Tammy and John Peterson, who started Hubb’s Corn Maze shortly after the birth of their son, Luke, 10 years ago. Tammy grew up on the farm, but John had never been to a corn maze. “We are creative people and we were asking ourselves, ‘What can we do for a youngster?” and also, we knew there was a lack of things to do in Sampson County. We wanted something for families to do.” Being the creative people that they are, the corn maze evolved into “Crops of Fun,” a whirlwind of entertainment activities involving three seasons – fall, Christmas and spring. 

Tammy Peterson speaks to media guests during Hubb’s Farm Open House

          
SobeSavvy Tip :  Make sure to shop for your pumpkins while on the farm. They have many varieties and great prices!

Pumpkins for Sale at Hubb’s Farm

Now that you have learned about how great Hubb’s Farm is, check out the giveaway details:

#SobeSavvyGIVEAWAY – One reader will win (1) Family Pass Silver-good for a one day visit to Hubb’s Farm Fall Festival and Corn Maze Sept. 16- Nov., 11, 2017
Click>>HERE<< to enter. Contest ends 9/27 and winner will be chosen randomly. 

#SobeSavvyGiveaway to Hubb’s Farm for the day!

For more information, contact the farm at http://www.hubbsfarmnc.com . I look forward to returning with my family and hope you are inspired to check out Hubb’s Farm, one of the state’s largest agri-tourism farms, this Fall! Don’t forget to spread the word and enter the giveaway.

GOOD LUCK! *Giveaway has ended. Congrats to K.Massey and family! Enjoy!*

Hubb’s Farm

10276 US Hwy 421 N

Clinton, NC 28328 

info@hubbsfarmnc.com

910.564.6709

Special thanks to Hubb’s Farm for hosting us and partnering with SobeSavvy.com to facilitate this awesome giveaway!

Leslie H. ,Founder SobeSavvy.com ~Posing with Pumpkins at Hubb’s Farm

Lots of Good Vibes Only + #FamilyFun @ColorVibe5k in #Raleigh ~ Race Recap #colorvibe5k #tumeyummies

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The Color Vibe 5k 2017 Raleigh~SobeSavvy.com Recap

I couldn’t think of a more fun way to spend a bright,warm Saturday morning than to join thousands of colorful spirits in the Color Vibe 5K run in Raleigh. My family and I, aka #HeighPartyof3, were thrilled to experience this event, as it was our second 5K together. If you saw my #SobeSavvygiveaway for this event, then you know how everyone in the community gets excited for this event! We got there early and joined others in a Zumba warm up class. We danced and did some awesome moves to stretch our muscles out prior to the main event. Here is our “Before” the run + our shirts are still clean picture:

The Color Vibe 5k 2017 Raleigh “Before”

It was such a festive atmosphere at the Triangle Town Center. They had a little Color Vibe Village with all sorts of run related merchandise and also Yum E Tummie drinks to enjoy. Plenty of water was on hand and bananas to fuel us up for the run. You can also check out #tumeyummies on social media to see fun run pics before and after the race!

Say Tum-E Yummies! ~The Color Vibe 5k 2017 Raleigh

It was time. We all lined up in waves as the DJ pumped the tunes and WE WERE OFF !! This course basically took us around the entire perimeter of the huge mall parking lot with some turns along the way. While I chose to wear sunglasses (you get free ones with your Color Vibe shirt as part of your registration swag), my husband actually prefers a different kind of eyewear. SobeSavvy Tip:  Sport a pair of swimming goggles to make sure the color dust stays clear of eyes and contact lenses!

Let the Fun Begin~The Color Vibe 5k 2017 Raleigh

Our little one, aka #outandaboutAva, now age 6, is on her way to becoming a road race veteran. She did a pretty good job setting the pace for us! This is an untimed run and meant to be fun, so walking, jogging, dancing are all welcomed along the course. At some point, she got carried and treated to a piggy-back ride but hey that’s what any Dad would do for his daughter!

Run, Jog, Walk, Carry~ The Color Vibe 5k 2017 Raleigh

The color stations were a blast..LITERALLY! Yellow,Blue,Green,Purple,Pink..the powdery color dust comes of easier than you think, so embrace it! Tum-E Yummies also handed out wipes at the end of the race, but it’s best to cover your car seats in towels and/or change your tee if you want to protect your car for the ride home. But really, it was so fun and getting dirty has never been easier. The color powder is biodegradable and washes out pretty easy!

“COLORS” The Color Vibe 5k 2017 Raleigh

This was a well organized event and I would suggest you get out there and do this fun run with your friends/family. The Color Vibe Good Vibes Tour 2017 does a great job at merging fitness and fun, something me and my family enjoy doing together! WATCH video from our fun run with Color Vibe 5K Raleigh Good Vibes Tour 2017>here.  Be sure to go to their website >>http://www.thecolorvibe.com/ to see what city this fun run/walk event is coming to next!

 Hope to see you there next year!💜🏃💚

The Color Vibe 5k 2017 Raleigh ~”After”