by Sarah | Jun 22, 2012 | All About Indiana, All About Kennedy, All About Me, All About Molly, Blogging Life
[flickr id=”7415474854″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]Yesterday we got to buck routine and head into the Indianapolis Zoo for a special treat. We went to see the Flights of Fancy exhibit with a few bloggy friends & their kids.
For those in the know in Indy…the new Flights of Fancy exhibit replaced the old petting zoo.
I’m here to tell you that it’s miles above the old petting zoo. Miles and miles.
First off, the area is sort of its own little oasis set onto about an acre of land on zoo property. With a concession stand, tables (w/ umbrellas), a little playground, restrooms and – for the mothers – a Nursing Mom’s Nest (which has private feeding areas, changing stations & a chalkboard/books for the siblings).
While we waited for everyone to arrive, Jackie & I felt comfortable sitting at one of the tables while our children played about in the area. No matter whether they were staring into the aviaries, watching the flamingos, or scrambling through the tree-house play area they were never out of our sight line.
[flickr id=”7417292054″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”right”]The Flights of Fancy exhibit hosts three aviaries. First is the Budgies. With one of the tickets (you can purchase at the ticket window right inside the exhibit) you get a seed stick to feed the birds. A tip we were given – go early in the day. When the birds little bellies aren’t full – they are all over the seeds then. And they didn’t disappoint. Hopping onto hands and heads. I got buzzed more than a few times in there! The budgies are adorable, colorful, and hungry little guys first thing.
[flickr id=”7417285584″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”] They also have an “Out of Africa” aviary. There’s no feeding here, but lots of birds much closer than in any standard exhibit. After that you get to the Lorikeets. These guys feed on nectar – which you can also get for the cost of a ticket – I was fortunate enough to have someone hand me their leftovers so the kiddos could divulge the feeding of these exceedingly bright birds.
Over all, this area is totally my new favorite place in the zoo. We could have spent all day there – but the kids demanded time in the splash park. A demand we were also happy to acquiesce to.
[flickr id=”7417302996″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”right”] While the kids had their fun cooling off on the splash pad, the mom’s all made time to talk. I got to know Jackie better – finding out we have led similar lives. I got to know Katrina and Veronica too, and expanding your circle of friends is never a bad thing.
Lately the zoo has become our meeting place with other bloggers & I love it for that. It’s a great central location that is kid-friendly and relaxing even on the busiest days. I also learned about some other zoo events I knew nothing about – that I plan to take full advantage of.
Bonus for me? The girls & I got there early, right at opening. Because of that for the first time we got to see the Tiger Forest for what it was meant to be – Tigers in your face.
I’m probably going back next week. Who wants to come with me?
[flickr id=”7417293736″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”none”] [flickr id=”7417290450″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”none”] [flickr id=”7417299848″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”none”] [flickr id=”7417296470″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”none”]
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*Disclaimer: The zoo provided us w/ free seed sticks for our kids and free tickets to the 4-D adventure movie. My zoo membership & my opinions are all my own.
by Sarah | Jun 4, 2012 | All About Indiana, All About Me, Blogging Life, Giveaway, Indiana Fever, Indy Geek Girls
On Saturday night I got to take in the wonderful experience of an Indiana Fever game. Never having been a huge basketball fan (what separates me from the true Hoosiers), I mostly signed up for the amazing company of the Indy Geek Girls.
Turns out, the WNBA is a lot of fun!! The women play hard, the games are intense but go by fast, and the Fever LOVES families!!
For the Geek Girls, the Fever were marvelous and put us up in the Legends Suite.* From there we had a fantastic view of the court – or the numerous TV’s that were showing every minute of the action. We also had seats around the suite if we wanted to get the arena effect.
Those that say the WNBA is “just” a girls league really needs to go to a game. These women bring it like you wouldn’t believe! I think it’s the first time I’ve enjoyed a basketball game. The women that do this job do it because they love it. They don’t make millions of dollars like the big name men – in fact many of them have to work the off season playing in other countries! The amount of commitment and dedication they have for the game made me appreciate the sport like I haven’t before.
It’s something I would take my girls to, so they could see what it means to do something you love. No matter what the critical men say about what you can do.
The tickets for a game aren’t that expensive. Even better? For their Saturday games they have family night – where for just $13 you get your ticket, Pepsi, chips, a hot dog, and a T-shirt! What’s better than that? Every ticket at Banker’s Life is a great seat, so it’s worth it.
And just to prove that point, the Fever is offering all of you a tremendous discount to come to their next game.
For the June 8th game against the Connecticut Sun, you can get two tickets almost free! All you have to do is pay the $.75 per ticket TM fee. That’s $1.50 to go see an amazing game! Mom’s & Dad’s – this is a great chance to take your daughter out and see what the WNBA is all about!
To cash in on this amazing deal just go here, and select the June 8th game:
www.wnba.com/fever/offer.html
If June 8th doesn’t work for you, please remember the family nights. The remaining Saturday games are: 6/16, 7/7, 8/18 and 9/1.
One last way to save some money – Tuesdays and Thursdays are two for one ticket prices on all levels. My recommendation? Snap up July 10th (a noon game) while you can. It’s Freddy Fever’s birthday – and he brings all his mascot friends along for the fun! It’s perfect for the kids, who doesn’t love to see mascots roaming everywhere?
So now go and pick up some tickets. I promise, you won’t be disappointed – and that’s saying a lot coming from someone that would never watch a basketball game until now.
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*Disclaimer: Indiana Fever put us up in the Legends Suite. We heard the words of the wonderful team of leaders for the Fever, we ate food, had drinks, and excellent conversation. All opinions in here are my own. I truly was impressed with the whole organization.
by Sarah | Jun 3, 2012 | All About Me, Blogging Life, Books, Changing Tracks, Indiana Family of Farmers, Indiana Fever, Indy Geek Girls, Writing
[flickr id=”5074952547″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]The past twenty four hours have been a whirlwind. A crazy whirlwind of amazing awesomeness that I can hardly begin to describe.
Seeing as this is blog specifically for that, I’m going to try. All of the awesomeness will see its own post (or two) this week, so for now I’m going to bullet point the awesomeness and then start prepping posts for the rest of the week to fill you up.
* First my husband and I went to Vintage Indiana (Thank you, Indiana Family of Farmers). We sampled, we walked, we ate and we bought. We discovered a winery we didn’t know about and brought home a few bottles of deliciousness.
* After that I met my friend and neighbor and went to an Indiana Fever Game. They put us up in the Legends suite and it was amazing. Good food, good drinks, good friends, good game (side note: we won!)
* The ever beautiful Casey had a phone that I could replace mine with after the loss I suffered last week. My Thunderbolt is gone, but I welcome in the Droid Bionic w/ open arms. We came this close to agreeing to a date to see Barry Manilow together…but alas she will be at Blogher. Such a shame…we could have been part-time Fanilow’s together.
* Did I mention the Fever game? Yeah, that meant I got to hang out with the awesomeness that is the Indy Geek Girls. The blogging community in Indy is Da-Bom’…and I loves me ladies.
* After all of that fun I came home and checked my email – to find an offer on my novel!!! I literally fell off the couch when I read the email. Yes, literally. Just ask Erik or Denver – they were there.
* Once I finally got to sleep – I woke up to find another requested full for my novel. I’d entered a pitch contest on a whim and a tiny prayer – & that publisher wants to see it too!
* Today I found out what was causing Erik’s phone to be painfully slow and it appears to be fixed. The man is very happy.
So today I’ve been sending out emails, fulls and updates to those that have my work. I’ve contacted a lawyer to look at the contract I received to help me make this difficult decision (I may not like the contract, or get the answers I want to my questions). Even though I’ve waited a very long time for an offer – I won’t just jump on it. There are a lot of points to weigh and I plan on weighing each of them carefully and with as clear a head as I can.
So as the week goes on, you’ll learn more about much of the events of the past 24 hours. right now I’m still a bit giddy so you get the info dump! More soon, I promise!
