During our brief visit we started by strolling the Gaylord Palms Christmas Tree Trail. This trail includes 9 different trees decorated to represent the holiday traditions from 9 different countries around the globe. Then it was time to take our seats for the Joyful! Atrium light show. Both the Christmas Tree Trail and the light show are free. Next was the Cirque Dreams Unwrapped show. I have to be honest, I can never figure out if there is a story line for a cirque show or what it has to do with Christmas. Tickets to this show are $14.99 adults $10.99 children for the matinee and $17.99 for adults and $12.99 for children for the evening shows. There are also free seats available on a first-come-first-served basis. After the show Mrs Claus, Snowflake the Elf, Jack and Jackie Frost and friends came out to tell us about what other activities were available at Christmas at Gaylord Palms.

We followed Mrs Claus and friends down to the Alpine Village where our first stop was to write our letters to Santa and then send them to him in the post office. We entered the Alpine Village and Jordan immediately headed for the Snow Tubing area. The Snow Tubing does have height requirements so make sure you check the website before heading out. Prices for Snow Tubing is $18.99 for children and $19.99 for adults. Jordan had a lot of fun tubing and racing against others. Then we all went over to Santa’s Snow Throw where for $9.99 each person gets a bucket of snowballs to throw at targets. We Floridians never get to throw snowballs, so this was a lot of fun! We peeked in on Mrs Claus’ Christmas Traditions Show, tickets are $9.99, and we looked around the Build-a-Bear Workshop pop-up shop but we didn’t do the Build-a-Bear Scavenger Hunt, tickets $9.99.

Now it was time to head into ICE! Featuring Christmas Around the World. It is 9° F inside ICE! so you are provided a parka to wear while inside. Closed toed shoes are recommended and I suggest wearing gloves, scarf, and hat as well. ICE! is always a cold but beautiful holiday treat. Jordan tried an ice slide, but no one was sliding very well! We spent about 15 minutes inside ICE! and then it was time to go warm up! Our last stop was the gift show where they have a lot of ICE! and Christmas themed items on sale.

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Christmas at Gaylord Palms and we hope to make it an annual family tradition going forward. It is a great event for the entire family. The most economical way to participate in the most activities is to buy the Platinum Play & Save pass which is 30% off of the total cost for ICE! featuring Christmas Around the World with priority front-of-the-line access (Chill Pass), Snow Tubing, Build-A-Bear Workshop® Scavenger Hunt, Santa’s Snow Throw (One Bucket of Snow Balls), Mrs. Claus Christmas Traditions show, and a Gingerbread Decorating Kit all for $83.99 for adults and $78.99 for children. I highly recommend buying your tickets and planning your visit <strong>online before you travel to the Gaylord Palms, some events sell out and you don’t want to be disappointed. There are other events that are also a part of Christmas at Gaylord Palms that we didn’t get to experience like the Sounds of the Season Concert Series, Breakfast with Charlie Brown and Friends, and Photos with Santa, all of which cost extra. If you find yourself in Central Florida during the Christmas season, plan to visit Christmas at Gaylord Palms, you won’t be disappointed.

The post Our Visit to Christmas at Gaylord Palms appeared first on The Mom Maven.

Why would parents give their children generic, sugar-filled juice from concentrate when they can give them a glass of Blackberry Banana Blast, Pineapple Tangerine Twister, or Green Veggie Goodness? When study after study shows that store-bought juices can be more trouble than they’re worth, it’s time parents turned to their own kitchens to find sources for the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients growing kids need. With this book, parents will introduce their children to the wonderful flavors of fruits and vegetables with every delightful glass—and the kids will be begging for more! Here is just one of the 201 easy recipes:

Breakfast Banana Band Smoothie- a source of Vitamin C, Potassium, Lycopene and Fiber

makes 4 1 cup servings

Ingredients

1 cup romaine lettuce

1 cup pineapple peeled and cored

1 pint strawberries

1 banana peeled

1 cup Greek-styled yogurt

1. Place romaine, pineapple, strawberries, and 1/2 cup yogurt in a blender and blend for 30 seconds.

2. Add remaining yogurt and blend until smoothie is desired consistency.

In 201 Healthy Juices and Smoothies for Kids, readers find all the essential recipes they’ll need to replace boring, sugary, one-fruit bottled juice with delicious, nourishing combinations that will:

• Boost children’s immune system
• Balance natural sugars with essential vitamins and nutrients
• Sneak in extra servings of fruits and vegetables even the pickiest eaters won’t pick up on
• Replace soda and pricey store-bought drinks—for good!

Amy Roskelley, Founder of SuperHealthyKids.com (Lehi, UT), is a mom of three and a graduate of Health Education. She counseled Department of Health employees on healthy lifestyles for ten years. SuperHealthyKids.com won the Jamie Oliver Food Revolution Blog of the Month in January 2011.

This giveaway is open to US residents only. The giveaway will end at 12:01am EDT 6/20/12. The winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize by email. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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