Tag Archives: cincinnati

Disney on Ice Presents Dare to Dream

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My granddaughter and nieces are so excited! Disney on Ice’s Dare to Dream is coming to the U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati! And Raising2Tweens is about to make another family’s dreams come true with four free tickets to the show! Giveaway details below.

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Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream is bringing Disney’s princess stories and most beloved fairy tales to the ice in a sensational live production coming to your hometown!  The show, featuring scenes from Tangled, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, and The Princess and the Frog, visits Cincinnati from October 27-30 for seven performances at U.S. Bank Arena.  Tickets are on sale now.

Mickey and Minnie will share the heroic stories of four of your favorite Disney Princesses. Families will laugh along as the heroic princesses tell their stories on ice. Nothing can stop a princess from a courageous adventure when Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream skates into to your hometown.

Tickets for Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream start at $17.00 and are available at the U.S. Bank Arena Box Office, online at Ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000.

Giveaway: Four tickets to the 7 pm show on Thursday, October 27. 

Enter to win by 10 pm on October 15:

  1. Visit Raising2tweens on Facebook
  2. Comment here saying who you would take to the show

The winner will be contacted on October 16.

Update: The winner was chosen by Random.org and the contest has come to an end.

Team Super Joey in the Media

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cyclones3My amazing son Joey has been in the media a lot lately so I want to have one spot where you can find links to his stories. This will be the spot. I will update this post as needed.

Joey’s goal is to raise awareness for Histio, and hopefully someday find a cure for his disease.

Histio Survivor Prepares for Fundraising Event, Community Press, July 12, 2013
Enjoying the Little Things and Making Memories, Looking4ward2tomorrow, Nov. 15, 2013

Fort Thomas Boy Fights Rare Disease With a Strong Voice – WCPO Digital, Feb., 2014

Teen is Survivor of Bone-Destroying Disease – Community Press, Feb. 25, 2014
Histio Awareness Video – Produced by Cathy Ross, Starring Joey Holt, Requested by Histio Association, 2014
Rare Disease Day Proclamation, Fort Thomas Matters, Feb., 18 2014
Team Super Joey Fights Histio, Rare Disease Day, Feb., 2014
Joey Advocates for Histio & Rare Disease Day, Fox 19 Morning News, Feb. 28, 2014
Joey is Five in a Million, Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Blog, Feb. 28, 2014
Follow Team Super Joey on Twitter @gina5620 #teamsuperjoey
Follow Team Super Joey on Facebook at Raising2tweens
Thanks to everyone who has shown their support!
cyclones2 cayton family cyclones rare disease hope waiting for trainTeam Super Joey
My Histio Family

joey super herosuper joeyHistio Warriors and siblingsmy histio hike 2

 

Q102 Helps Educate Listeners on Rare Disease – Histio

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My amazing boyfriend Nick Stegner secretly wrote a letter to Cincinnati’s Q102 morning show nominating me for the Women to Recognize contest. I won!!

Jeff, Jenn and Fritsch (my favorite radio personalities) surprised me with a phone call to my cell. I call in to win so often that I recognized the number. I didn’t know what to think. They read Nick’s amazing letter to me (listen to the audio above – click on the arrow next to the speaker). It was so sweet it brought tears to my eyes. His letter talked about our relationship, my fight for my son and his disease Histiocytosis and our fight against heroin. At the end, the morning crew gave me a chance to talk about Histio. I explained what the disease is, how it receives no funding to find a cure and how it is considered rare. Jeff told people that if they wanted more information they should visit http://www.histio.org.

Not only did I win a $100 gift certificate to a Jeff Ruby restaurant and a $100 gift certificate for Mitchells Day Spa, I got a chance to educate listeners in Cincinnati on Histio. I was able to spread the word. Hopefully Histio.org saw a few more hits today and maybe even received a few donations. Thanks Nick and Q102!

The Day Before Christmas Giveaway

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There is a flurry of activity at the North Pole. Santa and Mrs. Claus, the elves, the reindeer, the forest animals and even the toys themselves prepare for the biggest night of the year! It takes a lot of planning and hard work to get a sleigh off the ground and deliver toys to children around the world, but Santa’s team is ready and willing. Or at least they think they are before a tricky Jack Frost decides to try to stop the Christmas Festivities with a little comical chaos and calamity.

This story: The Day Before Christmas by Ken Jones will come to life at The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati at the Taft Theatre on December 6, 7, 8 and 14. The play is recommended for ages 4 and up and runs about 55 minutes. Ticket prices range from $11-$30. But I have a voucher for four tickets to giveaway to one lucky winner!

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The Giveaway!

A voucher from the Children’s Theatre for four free tickets to The Day Before Christmas that are good for Friday, Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7 at 5 p.m. or Saturday, Dec. 14 at 5 p.m. The voucher must be redeemed one hour before showtime or contact the box office to make a reservation. All tickets subject to availability. The voucher is not for resale.

You have four chances to win! Be sure to comment separately for each one so that you get each chance. A winner will be chosen randomly through random.org. The winner will be announced on Facebook and receive an email. The winner will have 24 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. You have until Tues., Nov. 26 at noon to enter. Good luck!

1. Comment here saying why you want the tickets and who you would take (required to enter).

2. Become a follower of the blog and comment here that you did (will verify).

3. Share this post on Facebook and tag Raising2Tweens and comment here that you did (will verify).

4. Share on Twitter making it @Tafttheatre and comment here that you did (will verify).

Disclaimer: I was given four tickets to The Day Before Christmas to take my family. All opinions are my own.

Monster Jam® Giveaway!

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monster jam

Monster Jam® is coming to the US Bank Arena in Cincinnati April 5-6. I have never been but I hear it’s incredible! My 11-year-old son is so excited to go! I am also excited to give four tickets to two lucky winners!

Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam®, starring the biggest performers on four wheels: Monster Jam monster trucks! Approximately 12 feet tall and about 12 feet wide, monster trucks are custom-designed machines that sit atop 66-inch-tall tires and weigh a minimum of 10,000 pounds. Built for short, high-powered bursts of speed, monster trucks generate 1,500 to 2,000 horsepower and are capable of speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. Monster trucks can fly up to 125 to 130 feet (a distance greater than 14 cars side by side) and up to 35 feet in the air.

Pricing

Monster Jam® tickets start at $18. Advance Auto Parts is offering fans ticket vouchers for $5 Off Adult Tickets. Opening night tickets only cost $12.

I’m happy to announce we’ll be offering an exclusive MONSTER JAM 4 FOR $40 FAMILY PACK where parents can save up to $32!!!!! **All you have to do is log onto http://www.ticketmaster.com, select from the Fam 4 pack Dropdown menu and use the code FAMILY to receive your 4 for $40 Family Pack. **Disclaimer: Offer subject to ticket availability. Excludes premium seating. No double discounts. Not valid on Opening Night performance. Offer must be purchased in multiples of 4. Additional fees may apply.

PIT PARTY – 11:30AM-1PM ON SATURDAY. Must have a valid 2 p.m. performance ticket in addition to the pit pass to enter. Pit Passes are $10. The pit pass gives fans the opportunity to get a view of the trucks up close and meet the drivers of the massive monster trucks.

Stay up to date on shows by following Monster Jam on Facebook.

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I have two (2) family four packs of tickets to giveaway.

How the Giveaway Works:

You can enter several ways. The more times you enter, the more chances you have to win. Enter by noon on Monday, March 25. We will randomly choose two (2) winners who will be announced on our Facebook page. The winners will have 24 hours to respond before another winner is chosen.

1. Comment on this post saying why you want the tickets (required).

2. Become a fan of Raising2tweens Facebook page and comment here that you did.

3. Share this contest through Twitter, Facebook, email or text and comment here that you did.

4. Follow this blog by hitting follow and comment that you did.

Disclosure: I am a Feld Family Ambassador, and in exchange for my time and efforts in attending shows and reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers, Feld Entertainment has provided me with complimentary tickets to Feld shows and opportunities to attend private Feld pre-Show events.

This contest is now closed. 3-25-13 12:19 p.m.

Around Town (and at home) With the Kids

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Watching Live Sports

 Recently I put together a list of activities in the Greater Cincinnati area and beyond for a friend who was having a hard time coming up with inexpensive and free things to do with his children. He was looking for ideas of things to do at home and out and about. So I asked my friends and family to contribute their favorite things to do and was able to compile a pretty comprehensive list. I even broke it down by weather and if it was free or cost. I thought I’d share this list on my blog because I’m sure many other parents would love to see it.

I also want to suggest visiting my friends at www.familyfriendlycincinnati.com, www.stockpilingmoms.com and www.365cincinnati.com since they are always posting great activities.

 

Any season activities – Free

  • Cincinnati Art Museum (do a little research and make a scavenger hunt before you go)
  • Krohn Conservatory
  • National Museum of the US Airforce in Dayton
  • Dance together like no one is watching
  • Play active video games together
  • Go to a local gym and play basketball
  • Watch movies together
  • Cook or bake together
  • Look around Ikea or Jungle Jims
  • Lunken Airport to watch planes take off
  • Build things like a bird house or do crafts
  • Visit the Public Library
  • Obstacle course inside or out
  • Blue Marble Bookstore in Fort Thomas or other local Bookstore
  • Put photo albums together
  • Volunteer to serve food at Hosea House, Parish Soup Kitchen or another local agency
  • Tell stories
  • Camp in the living room
  • Lowes and Home Depot Workshops

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Warmer Weather Activities – Free

  • Walk around Fountain Square/Downtown
  • Walk the Purple Bridge between Newport and Cincinnati
  • Watch boats on the river
  • Fishing
  • Early morning at Turfway Park – watch horses train
  • Go for a walk
  • Play sports together in the yard
  • Lunken Airport Aviation Days in May
  • Bike trails
  • Walk around Art shows
  • Devou or Eden Park
  • Hiking
  • Nature scavenger Hunt
  • Parky’s Farm
  • Hamilton County, Kenton or Boone Parks – lots of parks have free programs if you look at website
  • Walk around Mount Adams and look at cool old buildings and churches
  • Hocking Hills – Ohio
  • Clifty Falls – Indiana
  • Lunken Airport Play field
  • Sawyer Point
  • Plant a garden at home or for a neighbor

Activities that Cost

  • Behringer Crawford Museum (free one Sunday a month)
  • The museums at Union Terminal
  • Cosi in Columbus
  • Cincinnati Zoo
  • Plays downtown or at theater in Fort Thomas
  • Children’s Museum in Indy
  • Indianapolis Zoo– dolphin show
  • Louisville Slugger Museum
  • Movies
  • Out to eat (check to see where kids eat free)
  • Laser tag
  • Baker Hunt Art
  • Bowling
  • Recca Roller Rink
  • Cincinnati Fire Museum
  • Dinsmore House Tour
  • Color Me Mine
  • Lego Kids Fest March 23-25 at Convention Center
  • Concerts
  • Apple orchard, blueberry picking, – some might be free
  • BB Riverboat
  • Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park
  • Top of Carew Tower ($1 or $2)
  • Reds Games
  • Reds Hall of Fame and Museum
  • Ride the Duck
  • Newport Aquarium
  • Florence Freedom Games
  • Cyclones Hockey Games
  • Roller Derby
  • Lego Store in Kenwood has weekend events
  • RockQuest
  • Dave & Busters
  • Kings Island
  • Beach Water Park
  • Booneshoft Muesum in Dayton
  • Bellevue Beadery

 Please comment here with questions about any of these places or add activities my friends and I might not have thought of. I can’t wait to read about all the fun things you do with your kids at home or out on the town!

A Day Off

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Working full-time and having kids involved in several activities often means we don’t have a lot of time for just unplanned fun.  We miss that. The kids were off school Tuesday for Election Day so I decided to take the day off work. Both A and J had overnight guests on Monday. A’s had been planned for quite a while. We actually didn’t tell her or her friend until Monday morning giving them a pleasant surprise before school. J’s guest was scheduled last minute due to the mom needing someone to watch her son the next day. J was so excited that I really didn’t mind at all. Another one of J’s friends, who lives in walking distance, joined us Tuesday morning.

In case you lost track, this means I had five kids on Tuesday – two 12-year-old girls and three almost 10-year-old boys.  Some would call me crazy but I love having a houseful of kids. It is so fun to watch their imaginations at work, see them play ball in the yard, listen to them giggle and hear their insightful conversations (there was actually a very intelligent conversation about global warming).

As a group, we discussed how we wanted to spend our day off. There are so many wonderful things to do in the Cincinnati/NKY area that this discussion took a while. We talked about the boys just riding bikes and the girls rounding up teammates to play soccer with at one of the many fabulous parks in our city. We discussed going to the Zoo, the Art Museum, the Kenton County Public Library the Conservatory and the Nature Center. We knew we wanted to spend some of the day outside since it was beautiful and didn’t want to spend a lot of money.

We finally decided to head to Newport on the Levee. We had lunch at Tom + Chee. I have to be honest, I have been there twice now and I’m not impressed. I enjoy my homemade tomato soup, and even the Private Selection tomato soup at Kroger, more than the soup there. I’ve tried two different sandwiches and although they were tasty, they weren’t anything I couldn’t easily make at home for less cost. But it was nice to sit outside. The boys were able to run around the Levee plaza while we waited for our food.  We also browsed Barnes and Noble, Peek-a-Toy and Claire’s. Once we arrived back at my home, all of the kids played in the neighborhood.

It was so nice to just “wing” it and not feel like we had to be at a specific place at a set time. And one of the most humorous parts of the day was when people asked me if all five kids were mine!!!

How do you keep your family from feeling over scheduled? Any suggestions on what we should do in the Greater Cincinnati area on our next day off?

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Getting Started

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First day of 7th and 4th grade

My 12-year-old daughter A is probably going to be upset when she finds out about this blog so let me start by apologizing to her. Sorry hon. Now that we got that over with, I’ll get started by telling you a little about me.

My name is Gina Holt. I have two children who we will call A, my 12-year-old daughter, and J, my almost 10-year-old son. I’ve been a single mom for 8 years now, which does make raising two tweens a little more challenging I think. Thank goodness their dad is just a phone call and 30 miles away.

I wrote for several local publications for 10 years. I have covered topics like 9-11, the Erpenbeck Scandal, the deer hunting issue in Fort Thomas, politics and much more for the Community Press, The Enquirer and The Kentucky Post. I have written about the restaurant industry for Prep Magazine, Northern Kentucky festivals for Kentucky Monthly and my favorite… family and kid issues for Cincinnati Family Magazine.

I am now the public relations coordinator for the Kenton County Public Library. I love my job but I miss writing about family events, medical issues, my kids, etc… So here we go.

My plan is to write about the funny stuff my kids do as well as some of the issues we take on socially, medically, etc. You will quickly discover that my children have had a lot of health issues over the years, that my life revolves around my daughter’s soccer schedule and that my son is a genius who can’t find his shoes as he trips over them. You will also find out that I love my children more than anything but wine and good food is how I stay sane.

Feel free to comment, tell stories about your own kids, ask questions, etc… I hope you enjoy!