Cirque du Soleil OVO performance (and winner announcement)

Oh my goodness!  Last night I had the privilege of attending dress rehearsal night for Cirque du Soleil OVO.  It was amazing!  I'm going to try and describe what I saw, how it made me feel and how great the show was, using only words.

First rule of the Cirque show, no photographs allowed inside the big yellow and blue Grand Chapiteau!  It could potentially distract the performers from what they are doing and I wasn't going to be the person responsible for an injury.  I did get a picture of the kids after the show, just to prove we were there! 

The show itself was fantastic.  Honestly, I've never seen anything like this.  The performers were amazing!  The show centers around an OVO (egg for those of you who don't know), but has so much more involved.  The performers are all dressed as insects.  There were spiders, grasshoppers, the cutest ladybug ever, a snail, ants and several others.  It was in a word, mesmerizing!

The performance we attended last night we technically a "dress rehearsal".  How do I know?  We were told so at the beginning of the show.  Followed closely by, "the show may be stopped at any time".  If what I saw was a dress rehearsal, that was the best rehearsal I've ever seen! The lighting truly reminded me of something from a stage production.  The performers were outstanding.  The part that truly blew me away was the vocalist.  I didn't notice until right before intermission that the music and vocals for the show were live as well!  They were so good it sounded canned!

The different acts were amazing as well!  From the ants playing with the slices of kiwi and corn, to the grasshoppers jumping around at the end, it was hard not to look away.  A and Ren rarely looked away or spoke during the entire performance!  Since you all read this blog, you know that's a huge statement about Ren! 

When asking the kids (and Grammy who also went) what their favorite part was.  According to Grammy, it was the whole thing.  She just loves events like this.  Ren loved the grasshoppers.  A said her favorite part was the man who rode the bike on the wire.  Trust me, you'd have to see it to understand that!

All together and even without being able to share pictures with all of you, we had a fantastic time! 

Now onto the announcement I know you've all been waiting for....THE WINNER OF THE CIRQUE DU SOLEIL OVO TICKETS....is Jen Heindl!  Jen, I've sent you an email, so check your inbox!

Geckos: Tails to Toepads

Are your kids getting tired of being indoors all the time?  Are you running out of ideas on what to do?  Well, I have a solution, especially if you're in my area (Ohio).  It may be time for you and your family to make a trip to Columbus and visit COSI (Center for Science and Industry).  Think about it.  It's probably only a couple of hours away, at the most.  You could make a whole day of it. 

We will be heading up that way soon to check out the newest exhibit Geckos: Tails to Toepads.  If you're kids are as curious about everything as mine are, they are sure to love it.  Some of the highlights of Geckos: Tails to Toepads include

• A hands-on adventurewhere you get to test out gecko night vision, listen to their voices and try to spot camoflaged geckos.


• Explore all aspects of geckos including their role in human culture, their importance in ecosystems and how they may be able to help out in the bio-technology field.


• Spectacular photos of the geckos taken close-up by renowned wildlife photographers (I personally think I will adore this!)

This is from their website:

Bulging eyes for night vision, 'sticky' toepads that can climb glass, extreme camouflage, squawking voices, and disposable body parts. There are more than 1,000 species of Geckos living across the globe from balmy tropical beaches and lush rainforests to frigid mountain slopes and parched deserts. They range from shadowy nighttime hunters to neon-colored nectar eaters that scamper around in daylight. Welcome to the Geckos world!

Geckos: Tails to Toepads exhibition is going on now at COSI and continues its run through May 8, 2011, so you have plenty of time to get there!  The exhibit is included in the cost of admission to COSI, but you can purchase tickets to the exhibit only.  COSI is open Wednesday-Sunday from 10AM to 5PM and on Sundays from 12PM to 6PM.  Ticket prices vary and discounts are available.  To see the full pricing list, click here. 

Their website is chock full of information.  My personal favorite is the Itinerary page.  It helps you with planning your visit by providing a sample itinerary based on your kids ages.  Great help!!  Also, while you're there check out the Mysteries of the Great Lakes, running through May 27, 2011 on the 7 story high Extreme Screen!  This is something Chuck is going to love, while I will probably check out the Legends of Flight which runs through March 13, 2011. 

Now, onto the fun part!  How would you and your family like to go see Geckos: Tail to Toepads for free?  We have a family 4 pack of passes to giveaway!  Here are the ways to enter:

1. Let me know what COSI experience you think you'd enjoy.  Whether it be on the Extreme Screen or and exhibit.


2. Follow COSI on Facebook or Twitter.


3. Follow us on Facebook


4. Tweet #MommyConfessionsBlog is giving away a family pack of tickets to @COSICols.  I entered and can't wait to get my Gecko on! @MomConfess

Make sure you leave one comment per entry. 

This giveaway will run through February 8 at 9PM and I will be using random.org to choose the winner.  The winner will be notified by email and have 24 hours to respond.  If the winner does not respond within the 24 hours, a new one will be selected using the method above.  Thanks for entering and good luck!

***was given 4 tickets to attend Geckos: Tails to Toepads at COSI for writing this post.  My family is super excited to attend!  I can't wait to come back and share photos of our experience!***

Monster Jam!

Saturday night, after Ren's birthday party, we all got into the "Swagger Wagon".  (yes, we have a Sienna, no, it's not a new one.  It's well over 10 years old!  We love it just the same and crack up at the Sienna commercials).  We were on a mission.  A mission to go see some Monster Trucks!  Monster Jam headed to Cincinnati for Saturday night to "rumble in the jungle" (That's a Bengals reference for those not in the Cinci area).

I'll be honest, I was a little naive about Monster Trucks.  I have 3 brothers, but they somehow missed the whole monster truck phase.  I was thinking little trucks with huge tires.  Yes, that was the case, but oh my.  It was much more than just trucks and tires.  There was jumping off of ramps.  Crushing cars.  Crushing a large Winnebago with a picture of a coney on the side (another Cinci reference).  The roar of the engines was loud!  The height those heavy trucks could achieve was mind-boggling.  The roll-overs and tire losses made me gasp.  All in all, the kids LOVED it!  Hubs and I really enjoyed it as well.  This was something fun for the whole family. 

The point of the night I really liked the most though, was when one of the drivers was interviewed and he said he was dedicating his ride to a sick child at Cincinnati Children's Hospital.  He had the opportunity to meet this particular child and thought it would be wonderful to dedicate his ride to the child.  My Mom heartstrings were momentarily caught and right there in the middle of all the chaos that is a monster truck show I thanked God for the 3 blessings in my life. 

All together, we had a fabulous time!  The pictures below are of the fun we had.  Well, hubs time could have been a little bit better I assume.  Towards the end, CS had a slight *ahem* accident from her diaper.  It may have run down his leg and gotten on his shorts.  You can tell his *slight* frustration in the picture below....me, well, I cracked up.  Things like this happen to him all the time!

[slideshow]