Princess Wishes Giveaway!

Would your little princess just dearly LOVE to see the newest Disney on Ice Show?
I have, to give away, four tickets for the 7:30 pm show on February 16th.  And YOU can win them.  Here's how:

1. Anyone who signs up for the Joy Makin' Mamas and Papas team by Saturday, February 12 will receive one entry. (This is free!)
2. Anyone who donates to the Joy Makin' Mamas and Papas team by Saturday, February 12 will receive one entry per dollar donated.
3. Anyone who accepts the Pay It Forward Challenge by Februrary 12 will receive FIVE entries, plus one entry per dollar donated to the team.  You will also receive one entry for every $5 donated by folks you refer as part of that challenge- but they have to say you sent them!
4. You can also get five entries by posting in the Show us Your Badges Thread!

Remember, the drawing is Saturday, February 12! The more you do, the more chances you'll have to win, and take your little princess to see a REAL LIVE Disney Princess on Ice!

Princess Wishes... on ICE!

Information follows on how to get a discount on the newest Disney on Ice show... all the princess fans out there are going to go GA GA for this show!

Download a copy of the show flier, here!

Enter a world of wishes with your favorite Disney princesses in Disney On Ice presents Princess Wishes! Tinker Bell represents the magic of Disney as she whisks you through a collection of enchanting and beloved Disney stories. Join Ariel as she yearns to explore the world above the waves.  See Snow White find her one true love. Discover a whole new world with Jasmine. And, watch in wonder as the dreams of Cinderella, Belle, Aurora and Mulan all come true. Make your princesses wish become her happily ever after when Disney On Ice presents Princess Wishes comes to 1^st Mariner Arena.

Starting one hour before each performance, families will be treated to the Disney Princess Pre-Show, an exclusive fairy tale collection of gowns and treasures from the Disney Princess stories. This bonus experience is free with ticket purchase and includes a special appearance by a live Disney Princess.

Verizon Center, Washington D.C. Presidents’ Day Weekend, Feb. 16^th – 21^st

Show times:

Wednesday 16^th – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday 17^th – 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Friday 18^th – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday 19^th – 11:00 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Sunday 20^th – 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Monday 21^st – 12:30 p.m.

Ticket Prices: $75.00 (Front Row) / $50.00 (VIP) / $30.00 / $20.00 / $15.00

Tickets will go on sale Sunday, January 2, 2011 and can be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets via charge, by phone at 202-397-SEAT or 703-573-SEAT in Virginia, via www.ticketmaster.com, and the Verizon Center box office.

To learn more about Disney On Ice, visit www.disneyonice.com, or visit us on Facebook and YouTube.

Discount Information:

The Enchantment Starts at $11 for Select Weekday Performances with Code MOM Or, SAVE $4 on Weekend and Holiday Tickets with Code MOM!

Joy Troupe Event becomes... holiday greeting!

What could be more fun than sharing your child's activities with your family and friends?  You can turn your favorite JT activity into a holiday card at Shutterfly!  By the way, right now they are offering free shipping on orders over $30- just use the code SHIP30.

Full Of Love Christmas 5x7 folded card

Make a statement with Shutterfly Christmas photo cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Disney on Ice: Toy Story 3

This show is at the Patriot Center this weekend and a VERY underpublished discount code can get you in for $11 per ticket before fees.  Just use the code "MOM" during checkout via Ticketmaster and up to six of the lowest price tickets will come out to $16.75 after all the booking fees are added.

From the Feld Entertainment Press Release about this show:

Toy Story 3, the record-breaking #1 movie in the world, is so hot it’s cool as everyone’s favorite toys take to the ice in Disney On Ice presents Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story 3! An award-winning creative team and a cast of world-class skaters are bringing Woody, the pull-string cowboy; space ranger Buzz Lightyear; Jessie, the yodeling cowgirl; and the rest of the gang to fans and families around the country in this brand-new live ice spectacular produced by Feld Entertainment. This fast-paced and witty tale of friendship launches a 2-year, 75-city North American tour on September 3^rd in Lakeland, FL.

To enhance this live experience, the production will feature state-of-the-art projection design, allowing adults and children alike to virtually shrink down as Andy’s room is transformed from human to toy-sized. Families are whisked away, reliving iconic moments from Toy Story and Toy Story 2 before they embark on the brand-new adventure of Toy Story 3. This innovative 3D technology, a first for any Disney On Ice show, blends four separate images into one massive 3D projection using the entire ice surface to create oversized effects and scenic elements, altering the audience’s perception of scale. Memorable scenes take on a new life as a pinball machine of monumental proportion is created at Pizza Planet, with the massive pinball table projected onto the ice and the score board on the stage behind it. This perspective, among many others throughout the show, reinforces the audience’s experience as a toy-sized spectator.

“An award-winning team of artists, designers and technicians are redefining the theatre of ice with a show that challenges the audience’s perception of scale,” says Producer Nicole Feld. “Disney On Ice presents Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story 3 is Feld Entertainment’s most innovative show ever.”

Picture Treat Fundraiser

Big thanks to Sarah Kaupp Photography for bringing us this  very special "Picture Treat" Photo Fundraiser

When: Fri & Sat Oct 8 & 9, 2010, 8-11 am Where: Marina Park 500 S. Lee St. Alexandria, VA Contact: Sarah Kaupp 661-607-1260 info@sarahkauppphotography.com Description Dress up your little ones and bring them out for a picture and a treat! Sarah Kaupp Photography is booking mini Halloween photo shoots at Marina Park on Oct. 8th and 9th. 20 minute time slots have been set aside for each shoot beginning at 8:00am and ending at 11:00am. This special promotion includes a private online gallery featuring your little one's best shots, a complimentary 5x7 of your choice, a treat for your little one and a donation back to the Joy Troupe! Special Promotion Sitting Fee: $42.00 Please include your preferred time slot in your RSVP comments. If you have questions, please contact Sarah! RSVP now for Friday: http://tinyurl.com/FridayPictureTreat RSVP now for Saturday: http://tinyurl.com/SaturdayPictureTreat

Thank you for supporting The Joy Troupe!  Remember to use our Amazon.com Shop & Share Page!

Sophie wants a Tiger...

The Ringling Brothers Circus is in town and as always they are giving our Joy Making Mommies a discount on tickets to the show. To be honest I hadn't thought about going this year as my daughter won't be 2 until June. I didn't think she could sit that long or really follow the action so I had filed it away as something fun to do in a few years.

But last Thursday we were offered tickets to the show and off Sophie went to the circus with her good friend Gregory (both of whom keep late bedtimes). It was a smashing hit for our family. There is nothing like looking over at your child and seeing how big her eyes get as the show progresses.

Four days later she is still suggesting we go back and see the tigers jump. Yes we are now tiger fans in this house and I've had to desperately search for videos featuring tigers on You Tube.

Some of the athletics were a little simplistic from an adult's perspective with very few truly impressive stunts, but what they did do was highly polished with fun choreography. For obvious reasons the animal acts spoke the best to our little ones: the tigers and the elephants were the high favorites for the evening and the acrobats ran a close third. The kids had little use for the clowns but really enjoyed everything else. The circus is a must see for any family with a child who stays up late and loves animals!

*Thank you Eneas for making this photo available via Flickr Creative Commons.

Circus Discounts

Click here and use the coupon code "MOM" to receive 4 tickets for $44 good for weekday shows (Monday through Thursday and Friday morning) and $4 off on the weekend shows (Friday matinees through Sunday) for the Ringling Brothers Circus!

The annual spring engagement of Ringling Bros. each year brings our latest and greatest production to Baltimore/Washington families each year . This year, through the mystery of magic and the mastery of skill, audiences will be spellbound as Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents ZING ZANG ZOOM®, a thrill-filled, mind-blowing circus spectacular where family fun is no illusion. Magical Zingmaster Alex and his assistant Levitytia lead audience members through an extraordinary world of fantasy that celebrates the uplifting spirit of the circus and also wards off the cynical Mr. Gravity and his team of Heavies, who try to bring everyone down.

Free Movies!

Check out the Free Family Film Festival!

"When school's out, kids around the country visit selected Regal theatres for the Free Family Film Festival. It's a fun-filled nine weeks of movies for kids and parents. Since 1991, Regal has provided this service to the community, and best of all it's FREE! Selected G & PG movies start at 10AM each Tuesday and Wednesday during the festival. First-come, first-served seating is limited to theatre capacity. The Free Family Film Festival is safe, lots of fun and a great way for kids to spend a weekday morning in the summer."

There's a drop down box where you can select your state!