Lego KidsFest Nashville Giveaway

My family and I are big Lego fans and I'm so excited to attend the Lego KidsFest Nashville that would be held 3 days on 17th-19th of April,2015 for the very first time. Currently Saturday Session 2 is SOLD OUT and Saturday Session 1 and Sunday Session 1 are at limited availability. The Friday and Sunday Session 2 still have plenty of tickets left however most sessions at each tour stop have sold out days in advance.

How much it cost:

There are five identical sessions are available for the three-day tour stop. LEGO KidsFest tickets are $22.50 for adults and $19.50 for children and can be purchased online at http://www.legokidsfest.com in advance   to ensure admission to the session of your choice and to avoid long lines at the door! 

Lego KidsFest Nashville will be held at:

Music City Center

201 5th Ave S

Nashville, TN 37203

What you'll find this event:

This  event caters for all ages,"Any family who likes to be inspired, get hands-on and have fun together won't want to miss LEGO KidsFest," said Vince Rubino, LEGO Events Manager. "We're bringing so many activities for families in the Nashville area to test and showcase their creativity and building skills in what is sure to be a family event to remember." and you'll find these:

* LEGO Model Museum: walk among the dozens of life-sized models made from LEGO bricks 

* LEGO Ninjago: spin the way to being a Spinjitzu member 

* LEGO Mindstorms: play with programmed robots and snakes 

* LEGO Movie: help Emmet and Lucy conquer the bad guys 

* LEGO Fusion: work with real and virtual bricks in this  

* Race Ramps: build a custom car, then race it down the ramp against friends and family  

* Creation Nation: construct a creation to add to a custom map of the U.S. 

* Construction Zone: enjoy a creative build, play, and display area

* LEGO DUPLO: explore imagination through building for the younger set

* LEGO Retail: purchase LEGO merchandise and official KidsFest tour goods

* Big Brick Pile: build and have fun in a gigantic pile full of LEGO bricks for creative play and enjoyment

* Monochromatic Builds: construct buildings and more using bricks of a single color to foster group creativity

* LEGO Disney Princess: create and build a fairytale through LEGO bricks

* LEGO Friends: build for the five empowered friends from Heartlake City 

TICKET Giveaway Details:

One of MY followers will win (2) tickets to for the opening night session on Friday, April 17, 2015 (4-8:30pm). I encourage you to LIKE and Follow LEGOKidsFest on Facebook, Twitter and/or Instagram for all the latest ticketing updates as this event has been selling out in prior cities. Must be 18 to enter, 1 entry per day allowed, random drawing by USFG!

Winner will be randomly chosen by USFG on Thurs, Apr 9 and announced on my Blog and notified via email,.

ENTER HERE - http://www.usfamilyguide.com/LEGO_KidsFest/?blogid=3087

UPDATE:

FRIDAY SESSION has LIMITED AVAILABILITY!

SATURDAY SESSION 1 is SOLD OUT!
SATURDAY SESSION 2 is SOLD OUT!

SUNDAY SESSION 1 has LIMITED AVAILABILITY!
SUNDAY SESSION 2 has LIMITED AVAILABILITY!

THE WINNER:

Congratulation to Mathew  You have won (2) tickets to the Lego KidsFest Nashville Opening Night, Friday, April 17, 2015

 (4:30-8:30pm session).    Tickets may be used for Adult or Child, if you need additional tickets, please consider purchasing early as all sessions are expected to sell out.    I will email your tickets to you directly the week of the show.   Thank you!   More Info:  http://www.legokidsfest.com/nashville/index.html

Thank you to all who join the giveaway.

Weird Science: 4 Bizarre Science Destinations

Science lovers are celebrated like they've never been before in history, and there's no better time to embrace your inner science enthusiast than when you're planning your next travel destination. The following four destinations feature fascinatingly odd science. Who knows? You may fall in love with them. Maybe you'll even consider an infamous science locale when you're looking for the best places to live on your next move.

The Exploratorium in San Francisco, California

San Francisco's Exploratorium is so much more than a museum. It combines art with science to provide visitors with a perception-changing, immersive experience. In fact, the Exploratorium's admitted mission is to change how people around the world learn. Usually approximately 600 participatory exhibits of the museum's 1,000 exhibits are on display and available to visitors at one time. San Francisco is worth the journey for any science lover, and this is a must-see place to spend at least a full day while you're there.

Johnsville Centrifuge and Science Museum in Warminster, Pennsylvania

Created to preserve the rich history of the Naval Air Development Center/Naval Air Warfare Center, the Johnsville Centrifuge and Science Museum holds the biggest human centrifuge in the world. It boasts scientific displays and exhibits. The museum's mission includes helping aerospace sciences be perceived as inspirational, and it delivers on this promise in a big way. Explore the museum's many artifacts to get a better grasp on how the early astronauts lived, as well as the challenges they faced and what they sacrificed to make history.

Roswell, New Mexico

Roswell is a science enthusiast's dream, but maybe not for the reasons you first assume. The New Mexico city earned notoriety after an alleged UFO crash there in 1947. While this mysterious crash has pretty much been disproved to the satisfaction of all skeptics and scientists, there are still a fair amount of people who believe that aliens came to earth via Roswell, and meetings are held there for believers each year.

As a science lover, though, you may enjoy other pursuits in Roswell. You may opt to check out Bottomless Lakes State Park, the International UFO Museum and Research Center, and the Roswell Museum and Art Center. You can also find other archaeological sites to explore in Roswell.

The Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle, Washington

Seattle is a perfect destination for all tourists, but it's an especially good fit for those who want to explore science. Start at the Chihuly Garden and Glass. Perfectly situated by the Space Needle, this museum has the studio glass of Dale Chihuly on display. Visitors can explore the gardens, the glasshouse, and the variety of exhibits in the museum building. The large sculptures on the grounds are all unique and worth exploring on their own.

Finally, feel free to add to this list with the types of science destinations that pique your interest. Taking a vacation can be especially fun when you're pursuing your passions along the way, so make science a part of all your adventures for more satisfying travels. 

Explore Gatlinburg on Spring Break

“Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!’” – Robin Williams-

Last week  Little Travelentz has school spring break for a week and my  husband and I decided to go in Gatlinburg,Tn with my in-laws. Our first choice was to stay in Gatlinburg,Tennessee area but the hotel we wanted   that has indoor pool and jacuzzi is full so we ended up in Pigeon forge.

We stayed a day in Gatlinburg area and explore by foot. Too many things to see so little time so  we all agreed what we wanted to see and where we going. We kinda work with my in-laws health condition when they want to eat and sit we all do so they won't get tired that much and enjoy the day.

At the Smoky Mountain National Park

About Gatlinburg:

•  Is a mountain resort city in Sevier County, Tennessee, United States and its a entryway to the  Smoky Mountain National Park.
• You can explore downtown  Gatlinburg by foot or trolley. 

Things to do and see in Gatlinburg:

There are so many things to do and  see for all ages. It comes down to personal preferences. This is our second visit in Gatlinburg so we just savor the day with the family.

• Smoky Mountain National Park-We decided to go hiking in Little River were my in-laws go with us. It's a short walk and we choose this for everybody's benefit.We see a little bit of Smoky Mountain and we still plan to go back if given a chance.
• Downtown Gatlinburg-You can explore downtown by foot or trolley. So many things to see and has a unique shop.

Most Popular to do in Gatlinburg:

When you are visiting new place its very common to check out what's the most popular to see around the area and usually that's how my husband and I goes if interest us.Considering my daughter as of now has no say since she is still 5 years old but we try to encourage her to speak up what she wants to see and show to her the  brochure of attraction to give an idea.

• Hiking: My family likes to do nature so its in our top priority.
• Independent restaurant: This is how we dine-in the restaurant.
• Shopping: They have unique shopping store in Gatlinburg so its fun to window shopping. You never know what treasure you can find.
• Aquarium:Gatlinburg has a nice aquarium but we never visited yet there. 
• Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine: My husband favourite place to go.

Sure we have a great Spring break with the family. It was a great week for all of us, to relax and savor each day with each other's company.

Super-fast Tips For Avoiding Airport Hold Ups

Airports are notorious for holding you up. It’s just one of those things we all have to deal with. Check-in, security, and boarding the plane all add up to make what seemed a simple journey into a long and drawn out affair. However, there are ways to get through an airport quicker. Follow these tips to make your experience a lot nicer, quicker, and make you feel like you have got one up against 'the man'.

Image Credit: Nick Harris/Flickr

Choose A Fast Airport

The good folks over at Credit Monkey have put together this handy list of the fastest airports in the country. Each of the airports in the Top 10 score very well for on-time departures and lowest delays, meaning you are less likely to be held up when traveling from them. The winner, by the way, was San Jose Airport in California. 

Check-in Early

Check-in right after you have packed your bags, and before you even leave for the airport. Print your own boarding pass out, and miss out on all those queues. You can expect this to shave an hour or so off of your travel time on busy airport days. If you forget, don’t panic. Most major airports have electronic booking points dotted around everywhere. You will still save time by using them.

Use The PreCheck Program

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) runs a ‘precheck’ program, aimed at frequent flyers. It gives you the chance to miss out on the usual security lanes and go through much quicker in over 120 airports in the country. Find out more at the TSA website.

Wear A Jacket

Wear a jacket to the airport and you can just put all your things in the pocket and have it scanned. This means you will save time by not having to pick up your coins, phone, tickets, pocket lint, and anything else you brought with you from the tray after security. Simple tips are often the best - and this is certainly a good one!

Charter A Jet

No, seriously. Jet charters are often seen as the preserve of the rich and famous, but things are actually very different. Sure, it costs more - anything from $700 to $5,200 per hour - but if you are flying on business it is certainly worth thinking about. There are separate private jet terminals in most major airports, so as soon as you are through security you will miss queues for boarding. Some private jets can be cheaper than commercial airlines. If they are flying empty on a return leg, for example, they often offer very enticing deals.

Use A Fragile Sticker

Using a fragile sticker could save you a whole bunch of time at the other end. Ask the airline to put a fragile sticker on your case, regardless of whether you have anything fragile in there or not. You'll need to sign some disclaimer forms, but your luggage will be kept on the top of the pile, looked after properly and will be amongst the first onto the luggage belt. 

Tired of the City? Check Out These Amazing Day Trips from NYC

New York City is one of the USA's must-see destinations. From the Empire State Building to Times Square, there's so much to see and do. But there must be life beyond NYC too. Sometimes, especially when you're with the family, you don't want to spend all day sightseeing. Escaping from the city to relax on a beach, at a park or along a hiking trail gives you the chance to breathe. After you've had a day trip away from the chaos, you'll be ready to jump back into the hustle and bustle of the city. If you want to visit, but your family sometimes needs a change of scenery, check out these day trips for a perfect family outing.

Henry Hemming

Freeport, Long Island

There are plenty of sleepy fishing villages you can discover if you need to slow down the pace of your vacation. In Freeport, you can have fishing lessons and go out on an excursion on a cruiser. Or you can go to Hempstead Marina and while away a few hours just sitting by the shore and waiting for a bite. If you find it hard to get your family to sit so still and quiet, try exploring the area and look for somewhere to have the catch of the day for dinner.

Sleepy Hollow, NY

Although there's plenty of history in New York City, it can all seem very modern when you're exploring. If you want some historic charm, take the Metro-North to Tarrytown to reach Sleepy Hollow, about 30-45 minutes away. If your family loves history and culture, then this little place is perfect for you. You can visit the Philipsburg Manor Upper Mills living history museum, where you'll find a farm and mill from the mid-eighteenth century. There's lots to do, and guides dressed in period costume will perform demonstrations with traditional instruments from the mill. 

Philadelphia, PA

If your vacation is based in NYC, it won't stop you from exploring other major cities. If you want to see Philadelphia but you're not sure about a whole vacation there, choose accommodation in New York instead. Use HouseTrip.com or a similar site for vacation rentals, or look for a suitable family-friendly hotel. Wherever you want to stay, Philadelphia will be only an hour and a half away by train. If you're looking for activities to entertain the kids, try the tigers at the zoo. Or you could play mini-golf in Franklin Square or visit the Please Touch Museum for a whole host of interactive exhibits.

Bear Mountain State Park, NY

Nature lovers should take a bus or perhaps a cruise out to Bear Mountain State Park. You can take the family for a hike or bike ride, go out on a boat or go swimming. For a more leisurely activity, have a quiet family picnic and take in the scenery. You can also visit the Trailside Museum and Zoo, stop in at the Bear Mountain Inn or let the kids have a go on the merry-go-round.

There's no reason to feel stuck in the city, when there are so many great places to visit. You can explore parks, coastlines, and even go out of state. Next time you're in New York, make sure you see the city's surroundings too.

4 things I like about Splash Math

Being a mom, interactive education is very important for me.I browse every now and then in my daughter's iPad to check the new apps that would benefit for her at the same time learning new things  in a different style and questions.

What is Splash Math:

Splash Math is an interactive fun Math practice  for elementary. This app  can  be download in your tablet like iPad, kindle, computer and etc.I personally used iPad for my daughter.I was surprised when we are on the road last week for Spring break, my daughter  used the Splash Math app and practice her Math  whilst we were  in the car. It seems you don't really need an internet connection to play the apps.

Things I like about Splash Math:

1. Email Progress Report:I can't sit down all the time while my daughter is playing her iPad so I trust her that she would do her Splash Math with less supervision. I was surprised that they email me the progress report about my daughter.
2. Easy to Understand:I'm amaze how the questions easy to understand for a 5 year old. For me its very important that my daughter can comprehend by herself with less supervision.
3. Common Core: Having said,my daughter is in common core standard so this help her to have better understanding and in line in her kindergarten curriculum so I have more peace of mind that this helps to have more practice and familiarization of the questions and answers.
4. Animation that keeps my daughter going: I don't need to beg my daughter to do the Splash Math, she is into it and she just grab her iPad and plays the Splash Math. 

What kids can learn:

Basically, this interactive app is focus in Math subject,my daughter is in practicing the 1st Grade she's learning about:

• Time
• Geometry
• Data and Graphs
• Subtraction
• Add and Subtract within 100
• Counting and Comparison
• Place Value
• Mixed Operations
• Advanced Subtractions
• Advanced Additions
• Addition
• Measurements
• Addition Facts
• Money

I am very happy with this app and if you're looking  something for  your kids to  learn and familiarized about common core standard you should try to download Splash Math app for free.

Disclosure: Thank you  Splash Math for this opportunity. However,I will always share my honest opinion  about my  experience.

Summer camp at Digital Media Academy

Summer camp is just around the corner. If you're looking for a summer camp, check out the Digital Media Academy.

Founded at Stanford University, Digital Media Academy is ranked as one of the ten best summer camps in the world.

Kids and teens learn computer programming, app development, 3D modeling, robotics, graphic design, filmmaking, and much more. DMA summer camps are one or multiple week experiences taught by industry experts and tech professionals.

Campers get hands-on experience creating projects using the latest hardware and software from Apple, Canon, Adobe, and more.

Give your teen a pre-collegiate experience or build a child's confidence through project-based learning.

25 locations at top universities throughout the U.S. and Canada. Camps are filling fast, register early to save $$$ and stay off the wait list. Code: TECHFUN15

General Messaging: Save $75 off summer camps at Digital Media Academy with code TECHFUN15 at DigitalMediaAcademy.org register by March 31 #CreateTheNext

Call 1(866)656-3342 to speak with a Guest Service Representative or email at info@digitalmediaacademy.org Mention the US Family Guide Special Offer

                  

The DMA Experience from Digital Media Academy on Vimeo.

Why You Should Visit Vietnam For Luxury In Asia This Year

Travelling the world is a dream for some people and a lifelong ambition for others. Some of us are lucky enough to get out there for a holiday once or twice a year. The best part of a holiday for most of us is sampling the lifestyle and culture of other nations. Not all of us can afford to holiday abroad, but if you can save up, it is worth it. The experiences and cuisines you will get to sample will stay with you forever, and certainly give you plenty to talk about when you come back home.

Asia is one of those parts of our planet that we all dream of exploring. It can all seem so exotic. Everything is different to what we might see at home, yet all of it is only a plane journey away. If you are interested in taking in some of what Asia has to offer, you might want to consider Vietnam. Vietnam is one of the best destinations for your next holiday. It is also a superb place to backpack and travel through. Travel by foot, barge, rickshaw or public transport cheaply and easily. Alternatively, book into a world class luxury hotel and enjoy all that a resort can offer.

Thanks to Flickr.com for this image

Vietnam has a lot of history, and some of it has been quite turbulent. But right now, Vietnam is thriving. For those of you looking for a luxury holiday and all the pampering that goes with it, you’ll be pleased to know that Vietnam can offer just what you are looking for. For a real treat, and a holiday of a lifetime, you can find a luxury Hoi An hotel and enjoy hundreds of miles of beautiful coastline. This area boasts some of the best weather in the region, and plenty of historical sights to see.

Hoi An is a very beautiful area and is home to the incredible temple of My Son. You can find some charming boutiques and tailors in the area, so enjoy a very fashionable shopping spree. Food is everywhere in Vietnam, so sample some of the street seller’s dishes as well as the high-class restaurants. The flavors differ from Thai and Chinese food quite considerably, but are built upon a similar variety of spices and herbs. Needless to say, the cuisine is complex, highly flavoured and a little spicy.

For some of the most incredible natural sites, try to find time to visit the Bai Tu Long Bay where there are some incredible limestone rock formations. Use a kayak to explore this small but impressive part of the world, and don’t forget your camera! Whatever you get up to in Vietnam, and however you choose to use your time there, you won’t be disappointed. The culture is warm and friendly to tourists, and the treatment you’ll receive will make you feel very relaxed and welcome. Take the time to appreciate all that this place can offer, and make the most of a luxurious hotel stay to truly enjoy Vietnam this year.

Dreaming of Ocean

Well, I woke up today freezing cold and rain. I decided to cancelled my appointment and stayed at home, then I have cold at the same time. It's been a long winter and I'm dreaming about the  ocean today. Last year, my family did not go in the ocean, hopefully this year we can do some trip. 

My husband asked last night if I have plans for my daughter's spring break. I was looking for all the States nearby in my area, sad to say, the temperature that week is cold even in the golf coast-not fun to go in ocean though.

I wish to hear the waves of the ocean.

Play like a kids

You know, how I feel today?

Sledding on Winter days

Winter is tough this year. I stayed at home for a week without going to the store. Instead, complaining I decided to have fun and went out for sledding with Little Travelentz. She is so excited and had a blast. She doesn't want to go back inside the house.

My daughter and I sled in our drive way.

She's has been creative.

My plant looks like this during icy days on winter.

Why The Best Bits Of Italy Can Be Found In Venice

There are many wonderful destinations to enjoy a weekend break in Europe. If you are flying in from afar, you may worry that a weekend doesn’t give you enough time to see much. That can be true if you are keen to see a lot of history and culture from the place you are visiting. Fortunately, there are several places in Europe that really do have the best of everything in one small area. While you may miss out some of the local nuances of a country, it is possible to really get a flavor of what a country is about with a weekend city visit.

Perhaps you would like to get to know all about Germany and its turbulent history. Berlin is certainly the city to take in if that’s what you are after. To sample why the world raves about French food, you could take in a trip to Paris and visit the iconic Eiffel Tower too. To understand the history, culture and passions of the Italians, Venice really is a city that cannot be beaten. This is a place that sits in the water, and you will not find another place like it. Yet Venice holds dear everything that has made Italy so wonderful over hundreds of years.

Venetian painting is world renowned, and Venice has a wonderful tribute to the arts and artists in the form of  the Gallerie dell'Accademia. This art museum could take you a whole day to fully appreciate, but you can take a tour at your own pace, and leave plenty of time for many of Venice’s other beautiful places. It is housed in some wonderful old religious buildings so you can truly appreciate the architecture as well as the Renaissance artworks. You can visit a website like Venere.com to find suitable accommodation for your stay.

In the summer months, you can enjoy an open-air movie at the Arena di Campo San Polo. This is a very popular activity so you may need to book a little earlier ahead of a showing. For something more interactive you could attend the Carnevale in the Piazza San Marco. In the run up to Shrove Tuesday, this magnificent and enormous masked ball is great fun to get involved with, and has many deep roots in ancient Italian theater. This is the event to visit Venice for and shouldn’t be missed if you are in the area during this ten-day extravaganza. See hundreds of street performers and the most elaborate of costumes all out in the street.

Source of this image is Flickr

In late summer, you can enjoy the buzz of the Venice Film Festival. Some big Italian stars attend every year, but you can also be sure of a few Hollywood icons skulking around too. The Lido esplanade is the place to be seen, but bring a few cans of hairspray as it is right on the sea and can be windy! If you can get in on a Press Pass, you may even get access to parts other visitors cannot reach. Whatever you do visit Venice for, this city brings everything that is great about Italy to your feet.