Disclosure: I received a complimentary pass for this review. The opinions shared here are 100% mine.

There are a few things in life I never thought I’d see. A penguin egg probably tops that list. After all, how often do you see a penguin egg in your everyday world? Well, we got to see one at the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies during our  #PFTitanicFAM trip. That, and much more! We visited the aquarium last weekend on our Pigeon Forge trip and, as always, we loved getting to see the wonderful exhibits. The Ripley’s Aquarium folks are experts at taking hands-on to a new level. My kids enjoy touching the horseshoe crabs and stingrays. We loved getting to watch the scuba diver in the shark tank. It was all just wonderful!

[Read more…]

This post contains affiliate links.

As we traveled to Pigeon Forge last weekend, we noticed that the Christmas decorations were already being put in place.  In fact, we even saw some decorated gift boxes in front of the Titanic Museum.  We had a discussion about this because it just seemed so wrong to start decorating for Christmas before we even enjoy Halloween!  For one thing, the colors are all wrong.  The orange and black of Halloween just can’t be mixed with the green and reds of Christmas.  It makes me wrinkle my nose to just think of it.  Then we have the issue of the foods getting all mixed up.  I love having delectable treats at Christmas but Halloween just seems so candy-ish.  Ne’er the twain should meet, in my humble opinion.

There is something to be said for enjoying Christmas decor for longer than just December, though.   [Read more…]

Disclosure: I received complimentary passes for this review. The opinions shared here are 100% mine.

Yes, you read that correctly. Ostrich races. I should stop there and just let you wonder.

Ah, but I won’t. You deserve to know about this. While we were in Pigeon Forge for the  #PFTitanicFAM trip, we had the chance to attend a Dixie Stampede show. I’ve heard of this place for ages but have never visited. It was a great way to spend the evening and my son hasn’t stopped asking when we can go back. Do you like music? Dancing? Stunts? Food? Crazy stuff? If you answered yes to any of those, then you’ve got to make plans to attend Dixie Stampede.

[Read more…]

Disclosure: I received complimentary tickets for this post. The opinions shared here are 100% mine.

A few months ago we visited the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge, TN. Ever since then my daughter has been obsessed with all things Titanic. She kept asking me when we could go back. Finally she got her wish on our  #PFTitanicFAM tour. I really wasn’t sure if she would enjoy it as much a second time, but she really did! In fact, the entire family loved it. My sister has never seen the Titanic movie (I KNOW!!! Tragedy!!!!) so she was really taken aback by all the beautiful artifacts and information in the museum. Let me share a bit of our trip with you. [Read more…]

Disclosure: I received a complimentary stay for this review.The opinions shared here are 100% mine.

As part of our #PFTitanicFAM tour we were invited to stay at the Wilderness at the Smokies resort in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.  This hotel has an indoor water park with a spectacular looking outside pool, too. We’ve driven by resort the a bazillion times. Each time my kids asked, “Can we go there?” Happily this time I was able to say “YES!” We left right after school on Friday for our fun weekend trip. My kids were excited to pack goggles and swimsuits even though it is too cold to swim here in Northeast Tennessee in October. The indoor water park was calling our names! My sister and niece joined us for this trip.

[Read more…]

Fall is one of the best times to visit Northeast Tennessee because the changing leaves are absolutely stunning!    If you’re looking for a unique place to visit with lots of family-friendly activity options, you’ve got to check out Northeast Tennessee.  We’ll be visiting some local attractions over the next couple of weeks and I can’t wait to share the experience with you.  Be sure to follow me on social media so you can see all of the fun options you have in the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area.  Thanks to US Family Guide for providing us with a great itinerary!

[Read more…]

This post contains affiliate links.

Once upon a time, children were out of school for a solid 3 month break.  During that time there was much playing, laughing, splashing, and other fun kid stuff.  It seems like the summer vacations have been shrinking more and more with each passing year.  I’m spoiled because, as a public school teacher, I get to be on my children’s schedule and I get to spend the summers with them.  It’s really the best of both worlds for a working mom.  Since we get out of school in late May and go back in late July, it’s  important for me to take a breather in the weeks that I’m off.  So when I start seeing the back-to-school ads, it kind of freaks me out.  A lot.  Mostly because I realize how much I just goofed off during the month of June, and then I wear myself out in July trying to catch up.  One thing I won’t have to worry about this year is personalizing my kids’ stuff.   My kids can take their Mabel’s Labels and stick their little names on their own stuff.  Mommy is in the pool. [Read more…]

The Titanic story has always fascinated me.  The tragedy of the lives lost, the courage of those who gave their lives to save others, and the hardy determination of the survivors to get out of the frigid waters….it’s just enthralling.  One might think that it’s not a surprise, since we all know the tragic ending of the Titanic.  The story lives on!  From the discovery of the Titanic’s ruins to the tales of those who survived, all of it is amazing to me.  My family recently visited the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge, TN and found that there’s so much to learn about this epic disaster and the love stories that it inspired.  When we approached the museum, I wasn’t sure how my children would react.  Would they be interested in an event that happened over 100 years ago?  Would they appreciate the history?  Could they understand the depth of the tragedy?  I was so surprised by the reaction of my children, especially my 8 year old daughter.  She couldn’t get enough of the stories and facts.  She wanted to read the caption of every artifact and listen to every crew member as they described life during the early 1900’s.  As we left, she asked if we could visit again so she could learn more.  Wow!  Isn’t that what every parent wants to hear? [Read more…]

(I was asked to share this information about the Titanic Museum as a Titanic Blogger.)

Discover the latest exhibits at the Titanic Museum! They’re featuring  133 Children Stories of Titanic The First and Only World Tribute to Titanic’s Littlest Heroes Opening January 11, 2013

The RMS Titanic sailed with 2,208 people on board – 133 of them were children. These were Titanic’s littlest heroes. What they saw, heard and felt from the moment they boarded the ship has been documented and visualized for the first time anywhere by the Titanic Museum Attractions in Branson, Missouri and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. This year-long, exclusive exhibit is a celebration of The Children of Titanic whose bravery, innocence and faith can be an inspiration to us all.

For more information, please contact 800-381-7670.

—————————————————-

3rd Annual Professional Ice Carving Competition

Saturday, January 19th, 2013. 9am-3pm

Watch the world’s-most celebrated ice sculptors chisel 250-pound blocks of ice into fantastic designs. This free one-day family event will take place in Titanic’s outdoor entertainment center. Professionals and amateurs will compete for prize monies.

For more information, please contact 800-381-7670.

I’ve never been to the Titanic museum. If we go, I”ll definitely share the experience with you!