Unboxing the Toy Swag from Sweet Suite 2015

Since returning from Blogger Bash in New York City last week, I've been stalking the UPS man. We knew before we left New York that the companies represented at the Sweet Suite 2015 event would be sending us a great big box of goodies instead of giving us swag there. I'm so thankful for that...it meant less lugging of bags back to your hotel room and to the airport. Whomever first thought of this idea, I'd like to give you a great big hug! Thank YOU!

{As we walked into the building, we were greeted by these gorgeous lollipop ladies.}
Let me tell you a little about Sweet Suite. It's a BIG night of play with more toy brands than you can shake a stick at! I mean, there's Crayola, Cabbage Patch Kids, VTech, Strand Bands, LeapFrog, Fisher Price, Hasbro, Hexbug, and SO many more.

{The idea of Strand Bands is similar to what we all did when we were in middle school 20 years ago, it's a modern twist on friendship bracelet making, and more!}

Watch my unboxing video for a taste of what all we saw at Sweet Suite. And, what's inside the box isn't all of it! There are some bigger items arriving on my doorstep over time. I've got some pretty amazing toys to share with you over the next few months!!! You'll want to stay tuned!

Which was your favorite toy that came out of the Sweet Suite Swag Box?? Are any of these toys on your kids Christmas Wish List? Tell me about them in the comments below!

On Lake Time {at Flamingo Lake in Jacksonville, FL}

It's becoming an annual tradition to go to the lake at the beginning of each Summer. My mother-in-law rents a yurt at Flamingo Lake in Jacksonville, FL and we all spend a few days hanging out in the water and on the shore. So much fun!

Flamingo Lake is an inexpensive staycation destination in our city, and we love it! Who needs to pack up, load up, and head out of town when you have such a fun spot right in your backyard?

{seriously, can she get any cuter? too bad that float has a hole in it...someone send a patch kit!}

{different swimsuit, different day. gotta love hand-me-downs from cousins and momma's Old Navy discount!}

{we've discovered Frogglez Goggles. You want to get your kids a pair TODAY. A separate post telling you why, coming soon.}

{I don't feel like I'm spending enough time with this boy lately. He's the sweetest, most giving boy on the planet. Jonah Bonah, momma loves you!}

{on the last day, I treated them {haha!} to McDonald's Happy Meals}

{Jake brought a friend with him. Teenagers, y'all.}

 

 

See those inflatables behind them? It's an additional $7 per day, per person, but worth every penny. You and your kids can go out there and climb and jump and slide until your hearts content. And then, you all go home, or back to your campsite, and PASS OUT! A quiet night is well worth the $7 per kid in my book!

{everyone had their share of kisses from the sun...McKinley was no exception. She came home with quite the tan.}

{Jett spent most of his time at the lake sitting on the shore, catching minnows and tadpoles, digging them holes and filling them with water. I tell you guys often that he's an animal lover. I mean every word of it!}

 

Do you have a favorite staycation spot in your hometown?? Ours is, for sure, Flamingo Lake!

Disney/Pixar's Inside Out {Movie Trailer}

I can't get to the movie theater fast enough to see this film in its entirety! In May, myself, my husband and three of our kids went to Walt Disney World Resort to experience Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. While there, we had the privilege of previewing 2/3 of Disney/Pixar's Inside Out. To say we loved every minute of what were able to see would be more than the truth. Since May, we've looked forward to this movie hitting theaters. And, now it has!!! June 19 was day one, and we've still not been to see it. I've heard NOTHING but AMAZING things about this movie...making it even more hard to not have already seen it. Watch the trailer below.

So fun, right? I just can't wait to go see this super cute movie!

Will this weekend be the weekend we go see Inside Out from start to finish? Have you seen it? Don't tell me the ending. It's wonderful, isn't it? I was in tears for many parts during the first 2/3...I'm sure I'll cry at the end. Did you? Okay, don't tell me anything more! I'm hopefully going SOON!!!

Recruiting Guests in Tomorrowland for Disney Parks Blog

{photo credit:  +Disney Parks}

A few weeks ago, Jake Austin and I had the amazing opportunity to go to Walt Disney World Resort for the 24 Hour Coolest Summer Event with Disney Parks Blog and a couple hundred of their other readers. One of the activities planned for all of us was a private viewing of Disney's newest film, Tomorrowland. The movie was FANTASTIC!! {I talk more about it here, here, and here.} Three families were chosen to participate in a special filming, with park guests, after the movie screening was over. Jake Austin and I were one of the three! 

After the movie, our job was to find a family in the Magic Kingdom, give them a pin, and recruit them to come along to Tomorrowland with us. {If you've seen the movie then this makes sense to you. If you haven't seen the movie, what's stopping you? It was out of this world FANTASTIC!!}

To say a lot goes in to filming is an understatement. We filmed at least 20 minutes of footage and they used two seconds of us. Not kidding. Check us out in the video below. {we're at 0:49}

Even though our major film debut was short, we had an extraordinary time with Disney Parks Blog and 498 of their readers!! Thank you, Disney Parks Blog!!

Kids Bowl Free {Kids Summer Fun Activity}

Looking for something FUN to do with your kids this Summer? My kids have have been out of school for almost three weeks, and this is one of our most favorite activities to do in the Summer, thus far. It's FREE BOWLING!!

Last week my ten year old beat all of us. We're going again this morning. Talk about a fun, competitive game? Bowling is it!

Free bowling is available is most cities, check this link to find a participating bowling alley near you. Jacksonville friends, we go to the Nassau County, Yulee Bowling Alley. It's not crowded, and it's a clean facility.

See you at the alley!

A Newbie Guide to Cruising Carnival Cruise Lines: the Food

I have an entire series of posts planned for our recent Carnival Fascination Cruise trip, but first FOOD. It just seems like the very best place to start. I mean, you want to know how well you'll be nourished while on board your vessel. After all, if not properly nourished, you may not have the energy to partake in all of those fun shore excursions and beach time. I digress.

The food on board any Carnival Cruise Line ship is sure to be FANTASTIC! However, I can only speak for the Fascination. My husband and I recently took our two oldest boys right out of JaxPort, the local Carnival Cruise Line port here in Jacksonville, FL. For years, we've seen the ship in port, as we cross over the Dames Point Bridge, and said, "Hey, look! The cruise ship is in town." Yet, we've never boarded the vessel and set sail ourselves.

To say we were well-fed while aboard the ship is an understatement. We ate like kings and queens for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in between. Eggs, bacon, and fresh fruit. Chili cheese fries, cheeseburgers, and more fresh fruit. Steak, lobster, and shrimp cocktail. These are only a few of the foods we enjoyed while sailing with Carnival. Allow me to show you a few of our favorites, in pictures.

{breakfast looked like this just about every morning. yum.}

{the shrimp cocktail appetizer was so delicious.}

{the Caprese Salad was amazing! I could've eaten this morning, noon, and night.}

{Penne Mariscos. sauteed shrimp, calamari, and scallops on top of italian pasta, tossed with a tomato cream sauce. yum.}

{on Elegant Night we feasted on steak, lobster and shrimp. don't be afraid to ask for seconds.}

{i highly recommend getting this cake for dessert each night. you can get a different dessert, in addition to this. but, trust me, you'll be missing this Molten Chocolate Cake when you are back at home.}

{endless froyo and soft serve. need i say more?}

"DIDJA" Menu

Let me tell you about a special menu that is featured on the dinner menu each night. It's called the "didja" menu, as in "did you ever." Each night there's a different food item that you may not have ever tried, or ever thought of trying. I urge you to try it. We did, and each night we either enjoyed it or were glad we could at least say we've tried it. Again, in pictures, here were our "didja" menu options.

{we enjoyed these Alligator Bites. they were more like hushpuppies with bits of alligator in them.}

{this was the Escargot. my boys and I each tried it, and we all agree...it doesn't have much of a flavor and it has the texture of a mushroom.}

{the sushi was delicious. i would definitely get it again!}

We ALL enjoyed every morsel of food while on the Carnival Fascination. My son Jonah's favorite part about the food? The endless FroYo. Yep, that's right, you can get frozen yogurt or soft serve ice cream, in a variety of flavors, 24 hours a day! Jonah would eat his meal {breakfast, lunch, or dinner} and then head straight to the froyo machine. If he was on his way to the Kid's Club, he would first stop for froyo. You rarely saw him without a cone in his hand. 

Shhh...I enjoyed the chili cheese fries a LOT. I might have gone and gotten them two or three times in the 3 days they were offered. Calories don't count on vacation. True story. 

My husband and I equally LOVED steak and lobster night. We asked for seconds on lobster, devoured our steaks and enjoyed a quiet meal, just the two of us. {We ditched the kids on Elegant Night. LOL Don't worry, they had pizza.}

A Few Helpful Tips from a Newbie Cruiser:

1. When packing for your cruise, pack at least one elegant {or Sunday's Best} outfit.
2. Check your Sign and Sail card for your dining time and location.
3. On Embarkation day, check-in early and have lunch on the ship. The buffet will be open on Lido Deck.
4. If you have special dietary restrictions, be sure to tell your waiter or maitre d'. They're there to help, and will do so with a smile. 
5. Don't feel like dining in the dining room tonight? Feel like staying in your stateroom for the evening? Order room service. There's a menu in your room and you can order from it 24 hours a day.
6. Each adult, aged 21 or older, may bring one 750 ml bottle of wine on board in their carry-on luggage. {up to two bottles per room, a $15 corking fee will apply to bottles with corks}
7. Each person may bring up to 12 unopened cans/cartons of soda, water or juice in their carry-on luggage. {as of July 9, 2015, NO bottles of soda or water will be allowed to be brought on board. See Carnival's Liquor and Beverage Policy for all of the rules and restrictions.}
8. Water, lemonade, and tea are available, at no additional cost, while on board. If you're a soda drinker, I recommend pre-purchasing Bottomless Bubbles. For a nominal fee, you can have unlimited soda and juice for the duration of your cruise. Bottomless Bubbles can be purchased at the Lobby, Casino, or Pool Bars. 
9. To piggy back on Bottomless Bubbles, Carnival Cruise Lines also offers a plan for those who enjoy a cocktail or two. Cheers!, a prepaid bar package, allows you to order drinks and not get billed. Whether you're lounging by the pool or enjoying a show in one of the many theaters, you can do so with a cocktail in hand. {Some exclusion apply. Must be purchased for the full length of cruise.}
10. The frozen yogurt and soft serve station, as well as the pizza bar, are open 24 hours a day!
11. Check your cruise ship for special dining locations. For example, some of Carnival's ships have Guy's Burger Joint. {Yeah, that Guy, Guy Fieri from Food Network.}
12. Try new things! While on vacation is the PERFECT time to try something that you've never tasted before.

Have you been a Carnival cruise? All this talk about food has my mouth watering. What dining/food tips would you add? 

Disclaimer: My family and I received a Carnival Cruise on the Fascination in exchange for social media sharing and articles on jonahbonah.com. No script was given, all opinions are my own. All photos used in this article are property of jonahbonah.com. 

Leaving on a Cruise Boat

{photo credit: Carnival Cruise Lines}

My husband and I have dreamed of going on a cruise. Like, every now and again we will go on the website and price check cruise packages, think of how we can make it work, and quickly come back to our senses and realize that it simply isn't in our immediate future...until now! Carnival has invited myself and my family on a 5-day Bahamas cruise!! We'll be on the Carnival Fascination, the ship that leaves right out of our hometown, Jacksonville, FL! Over the next five days, you can follow along on our journey on Instagram and Twitter. {I'm @jonahbonah on both social platforms. The hashtags to look for #gowithjonahbonah and #cruisingcarnival.}

Over the last couple of weeks we've been researching the 9 Essential Items to Pack for Your Next Cruise and much, much more. I can't wait to share with you Everything You Need to Know as a First Time Cruiser!!

Bon Voyage, friends!!