The Little Mermaid

Me - The Little Mermaid, wow! I like The Little Mermaid. I have seen two different versions of The Little Mermaid and liked them both. In the movie version, I like the songs and the characters. I don't like the character of Sebastian though. He is annoying. My favorite song is Part of Your World. I liked the show The Little Mermaid too but not as much as the movie. The song were just okay, but I really liked Misunderstood sung by the Fish Witch. All of the characters were okay, but my favorite was the Fish Witch. The Fish Witch was funny, and he sang a good song. I liked the dances in the show. I didn't like the ending of the show. It was better than the original story, but not better than the Disney version. The workshop before the show was a lot of fun. My sister kept raising her hand to answer questions. When they called on her she spoke so quietly I had to repeat whatever she said. They called me her translator. I got to make a paper fish. It had big lips so I called it Kissy. Aurella made a sea horse. We had a lot of fun at the show.

Mom - The original story,  The Little Mermaid by Han Christian Anderson is kind of depressing. Disney's The Little Mermaid  is very happy or at least it ends up that way as do all Disney princess movies. Literally Alive Theater's The Little Mermaid is in between the two extremes. I don't really like the Hans Christian Anderson version of the story. I do like the Disney version of The Little Mermaid. I enjoyed Literally Alive Theater's version as well. I like the songs a little better in the Disney version except my favorite song out of all the songs in both versions is a song from Literally Alive's version called Misunderstood. I have not been able to get that song out of my head since I saw the show. Everyone in our family is in agreement that if a download of the song was available, we would definitely get it. I also like the live version because its much more engaging to have it happening right there in front of me than to watch it on a screen. I like the movie version because you can watch it again and again which doesn't interest me to so much as it interests my children. Of course, I like The Little Mermaid herself in both versions. While she is known as Ariel in the Disney version in the stage version she is called Coral.  In the movie, I also like Ariel's friend, Flounder, whom my younger daughter used to call Clownder. In the show, I like The Little Mermaid's sisters who are called Pearl and Shelly. They are much more distinct than Ariel's sisters and much more supportive of their sister. All in all there is a lot to like in both versions, and it is fun to see different versions of the same basic story.

And that's our view. What movie would you enjoy seeing a stage version of?

Tune in tomorrow for Funny Friday.

Where-To-Go Wednesday- Literally Alive Theater's Production of The Little Mermaid

What: The Little Mermaid

Where: Players Theater
            115 MacDougal Street
            New York, New York

Who: All Ages

Our view: If you are expecting the Disney version of the story, this is not it. In this version, the characters are different, the songs are different even the story is different. However, once you get past that, you will find this version of the story very enjoyable in its own right. The story while not as light as the Disney version is not as depressing as the original Hans Christian Anderson version either. The songs are sweet although not particularly memorable except a song called Misunderstood which is sung by the evil Fish Witch. Actually, while all of the acting is good, Eric Fletcher who plays the Fish Witch is definitely the standout performer of the show. His character is definitely not as scary evil  as Ursula in The Little Mermaid which is a good thing especially when you are dealing with small children and live theater. It also helps that if you arrive at the show an hour early, there is workshop. During the workshop, people associated with show talk about the show and ask questions and the audience gets to participate. Eric Fletcher participates in this session in regular street clothes and without makeup so the little ones can see he is just a regular person and not be afraid of him during the show. The musical director also talks about how music is used to make the sounds of the storm so kids aren't frightened by that during the show either. These tactics work because not one little kid was heard screaming in fright during the course of the show and all of the children in attendance seemed thoroughly engaged by the show. Also, as part of the workshop, children are invited to come on stage and create a sea creature of their own which they are even able to use to participate in the beginning of the show. All in all, the workshop and the show will both keep your children entertained and engaged. For more information about the The Little Mermaid and/or other Literally Alive Theater productions or to order tickets go to http://www.literallyalive.com/. If you are interested in seeing The Little Mermaid, go soon. It will only be running through April 27. We will share further information regarding future Literally Alive Theater productions as we receive it.

And that's our view. Tune in for tomorrow's Talking Topic post where we will be talking more about The Little Mermaid.

Tips for Tuesday- TV

Me - Today I am recommending Degrassi The Next Generation. It is a good show. It is very serious and talks about very serious matters and some kids might not like it. However, most teen and tween girls will love it. It is like a teenage soap opera.

Mom - Today I am recommending Overhauling. My husband watches a lot of car shows, and I have to say that this is one of the better ones. Men will like it, of course, because it is about cars specifically about restoring classic cars.  However, women won't mind it because each episode is a little like a based on a true story tear jerking but ultimately uplifting movie wrapped up in a car show. First of all, you don't just apply to have your car redone. You have to be nominated by friends or family, and they can't just nominate you because they think you'd like it. You have to be worthy of being nominated because of what you do for others or something like that. I like to hear about what it is that makes each person chosen to have their car overhauled worthy of it. I also love to see how people react when they find out their car has been secretly overhauled. I don't think I have ever seen so many men cry as I do on this show, and I mean that in a good way. It is nice to see men openly expressing their emotions. It is fun to see the transformation of the cars as well. If your not a car person just think of it like when a person gets a makeover but instead it's a car getting the makeover. Over all, if one of you loves cars shows and the other doesn't, Overhauling is a pretty good compromise show.

And that's our view. Tune in tomorrow for Where-To-Go Wednesday.

Bike Riding

Me - Bike riding, wow! I like to ride my bike. I learned to ride a two wheel bike between Kindergarten and first grade. It took me a long time to start learning to ride my bike, but once I started I learned quick. I like feeling the wind in my hair when I ride. I like to ride really fast. I ride around my neighborhood. I like to ride by myself or with my neighbor. Once in a while, my Dad rides with me. I would ride with my sister, but she refuses to learn to ride a two wheeler. Even though my Dad and I are always trying to teach her. I like the bike I have now. I hated my old bike. It was really ugly. I was glad when I outgrew it and got a new bike. My bike now is pink and princessy but not in little kid way. It is really girly. This spring and summer I am hoping to ride more than I did last year.


Mom - I haven't been bike riding in years. When I was little and I learned to ride my bike, it was before helmets and knee pads and shoulder pads were required. I remember taking hard tumbles on the pavement and scrapping up my arms and legs. I never hit my head though. All our kids took a long time learning to ride their bikes. It isn't really so much because it took them a long time to learn. It just took them a long time before they decided they wanted to learn. Once they decided to learn, they learned pretty quickly at least Melia and my stepson. Aurella is still in the process of learning how to ride a two wheeler. It took her longer to learn to swim too, and she still doesn't swim as well as her sister and stepbrother because she only went to lessons for Mommy and Me class. When she was old enough to take a class without me and just with the teacher and the other kids, she refused to get in the pool.  She is still not a strong swimmer. I think she is a little bit afraid of swimming just as I think she is a little afraid of bike riding. I don't remember being afraid to ride a bike although I am sure at some point I probably was because I was that kind of kid. I was not the kind of kid who always wanted to try new things. Of course, eventually I did learn to ride a bike, and I loved it as all kids usually do. However, I don't like bike riding now. I know they say that once you learn to ride a bicycle you never forget. However, the last time I got on a bike when I was in my twenties or so, it just didn't feel right. I didn't feel comfortable. I felt kind of wobbly. I haven't been on a bike since.

And that's our view. When did you learn to ride a bike and do you still ride?

Saturday Special- Upcoming - Moms and Families Day at the New York Mets

What: Moms and Families Day at the New York Mets

Where: Citi Field
              126 Street and Roosevelt Avenue
              Flushing, New York

When: April 27, 2014 at 1:10 p.m.

Special $25.00 Ticket Packages ($29.00 after April 15)

Packages include:
Game Ticket
Hot Dog
Drink
Mets Lanyard With Ticket Holder
Exclusive Meet and Greet with Mr. Met

You won't want to miss it!

For more information or to order tickets contact Mets Group Sales Account Executive, Alexandra Pugliese by phone at (718)  559-3038 or by e-mail at apugliese@NYMets.com or go to www.mets.com/bloggerpicnic.
                               
                              

Funny Friday - If you insist

Me-

My cousin and me and my sister were all playing together with the lights off. My cousin got mad because we wouldn't let her turn the lights on. She left. Two minutes later, she came back with my older cousin. My younger cousin said "She (meaning my older cousin) wanted to check on you."

I said "We're fine."

Then, out of nowhere my younger cousin said "Fine, I'll play with you."

Mom -

Aurella and I are totally addicted to the Logo Quiz game. She was playing it on my Kindle Fire, and I was doing something else on my laptop.  Finally I couldn't stand her playing it without me anymore so I even though she hadn't asked I said. "Okay, I'll play with you."

We welcome you to share your funny stories with us. Tune in Monday for another Talking Topic.

Family Fun at the New York Mets

Me - Family Fun at the New York Mets, wow! Unfortunately, the Mets are not having a great year so far, however, you can still have an amazing time at a Met game. Even before the game when you are waiting to go in the gate, they have a blow up batting cage. You can also get balloon animals or have your face painted. Once, you get in the stadium. The food is great. I really enjoyed my burger. My sister loved the pizza too. They even have a food stand called Mr. Mets Kids Kitchen where everything is priced and proportioned for kids. There is a dunk tank. Instead of water, there is foam in the tank right now. Probably, when it gets warmer they will use actual water. They have regular batting cages. They have a mini field. I don't know if you can actually play on it though. They have Mr. and Mrs. Met who you can hug, high five and take pictures with. You can also sign up for the Mets Kids Club. Even their garbage cans are special. The top is shaped like a helmet. The bottom is blue with the Mets logo. There is so much you can do at a Mets game. The Mets are the most fan friendly major league baseball team. They have between innings games where kids can win prizes. They not only have a kiss cam but a family cam. Go to a Mets game and create family memories.

Mom- I have been to a number of baseball stadiums around the country. While I can not remember ever having a totally bad time at a baseball game and most stadiums are at least somewhat fan friendly, I can honestly say that I have never been to a stadium as fan friendly as Citi Field. It is not just that Citi Field is a newer stadium and as a result may have amenities that some older stadiums may not. It is that no matter where you are in the stadium you are constantly kept entertained. Outside the stadium among other things you can get your face painted, get a balloon animal, or have your picture taken near the homerun apple taken from the  Mets old stadium. Inside, in addition to the numerous shops and food stands, there is the Mets Hall of Fame. There is also a whole interactive Fan Fest area. Some of the options here include a dunk tank, a batting cage, and a mini field. This is also the area where Mets Kid Club membership kits can be picked up and where you can meet Mr. and Mrs. Met. While Mr. and Mrs. Met do wander throughout the park over the course of the game, they can always be found here at least once or twice a game. Even when you are sitting in your sit and watching the game, there is always entertainment provided between innings. In that sense, the Mets are more like a minor league team than other major league teams, but in a good way. The entertainment provided is not just things like watching videos on the scoreboard. It is more interactive. There are numerous interactive games and contests between innings. There is even a family of the game chosen with a $100.00 gift card awarded to the lucky family. The bottom line is this, if you want to go to a baseball game and do nothing but sit and watch the game, you can go to any stadium. If you want to be thoroughly entertained, go to a Mets game at Citi Field.

And that's our view. What is your favorite thing to do at a baseball game?

Tune in tomorrow for Funny Friday.

Disclaimer: This post was written as part of  our membership in the Mets Blogger program. We were given free food and tickets to the game. We did not, however, receive any monetary compensation for this post, and the opinions expressed herein are our own based on our experiences at Citi Field.