Director Jewels

Visiting Aquarium at the Boardwalk in Branson, Missouri with Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Julie @ Director Jewels) — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 20:06:00 +0000

Disclosure: I received press passes to visit this location. No other compensation was received and all opinions expressed are my own.

We recently had the opportunity to visit Branson as a family, and near the top of our list for things to do was to visit the Aquarium at the Boardwalk, an oceanic walk-through adventure featuring 400.000 gallons of salt water, more than 7,200 live sea animals, and countless fun photo opportunities.

The visit began by staring in awe at the 55 foot sculpture of "Aquarius the Octopus" that wraps around the front of the building! It is designed to reflect its surroundings - the day we went, it was cloudy and rainy, which made the whole sculpture a shiny silver color!

We were delighted to head inside and begin exploring the sea creatures. We have been to quite a few aquariums, but this was the first time we have ever seen a visual display of shark eggs with babies inside them! This was definitely a highlight for our whole family. We also really enjoyed seeing seahorses, pufferfish, blacktip sharks, and fish that seemed to glow in the dark.

A fun surprise was the 5D adventure ride near the beginning of the attraction - I was not aware prior to arriving that this was part of the aquarium! It definitely added to the adventure spirit of our visit to feel like we were truly whisked away on an ocean journey.

My daughter loved the carousel and mermaid photo locations, and both of my kids thought that the crawl-through tunnels and special bubble viewing areas were the best. We also have to highly recommend the Kelp Climber in the Kelp Forest section - the kids didn't want to leave!

Near the end of the experience, we were given a chance to touch stingrays, sharks, horseshoe crabs, sea anemones, and sea stars. Being able to interact with ocean creatures in this way in the middle of the USA was a special treat.

If you're planning a trip to Branson, check out www.AquariumattheBoardwalk.com to learn more about this fun aquarium and purchase tickets.

Thank you to Aquarium at the Boardwalk for providing our tickets and family memories! All opinions expressed are my own.

Sea Creatures...We're On Our Way!

noreply@blogger.com (Julie @ Director Jewels) — Wed, 29 Dec 2021 17:19:00 +0000

Disclosure: I received press passes to visit this location. No other compensation was received and all opinions expressed are my own.

Sea creatures…yes please.

We’re longtime fans of all the swimming creatures in the seas and oceans (remember our Octonauts party?), and there’s never a good reason to miss out on an opportunity to see them in action. We were invited to visit the new Aquarium at the Boardwalk in Branson, Missouri - and we can’t wait to tell you all about it after we’ve been!

Here’s what we’ve heard about the new aquarium:

Be thrilled and mesmerized by an undersea journey that takes you through worlds teeming with colorful fish, sharks, stingrays, seahorses, and so much more. Along the way, you'll be delighted by playful photo ops, activities, and adventures including exploring a jelly infinity room, climbing through a kelp forest, and petting a shark. From the moment you splash below the surface on an exciting Submarine Adventure to your final glorious view of the Coral Reef, you'll feel like a part of the ocean life all around you. You'll leave enchanted with a new appreciation for what we can do together to keep our oceans thriving.

What else is cool about Aquarium at the Boardwalk? Check out these fun facts:

* An impressive 55-foot-tall, 34-ton stainless steel sculpture of a Great Pacific Octopus greets you when you arrive at the Aquarium. It was designed to reflect its surroundings, mimicking how a real Great Pacific Octopus is able to camouflage itself in its environment.

* More than 7,200 individual sea animals and 250 species make the aquarium their home.

* A Trompe L'oeil (trick-of-eye) mural was created for the aquarium by world-renowned artist John Pugh. Check it out on the exterior wall of the Aquarium that faces Glory Road.

* Inside the Aquarium's Bloom Room, you'll experience an immersive experience in which mirrors give the illusion that fish are swimming around you in every direction.

* Original music for each of the worlds in the Aquarium was created by Emmy-nominated composer Jay Flood and makes each zone an even more unique experience!

* Dozens of seahorses live at the Mermaid Palace. The aquarium has a much larger collection of seahorses than nearly all other aquariums!

If you're planning a trip to Branson, check out www.AquariumattheBoardwalk.com to learn more about this fun aquarium and purchase tickets.

Thank you to Aquarium at the Boardwalk for providing our tickets and family memories! All opinions expressed are my own.

Around the World in One Summer: Worlds of Fun is OPEN AGAIN!

noreply@blogger.com (Julie @ Director Jewels) — Sun, 27 Jun 2021 22:19:00 +0000

Disclosure: I received press passes to attend this event. No other compensation was received and all opinions expressed are my own.

I have lived in Kansas City my whole life, but I've only been to Worlds of Fun a handful of times and surprisingly - never with my kids! When I heard that Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun were reopening this summer, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to remedy that situation. My kids, of course, were thrilled to check it out!

We haven't been to an amusement park in a long time and I wasn't sure what to expect, given how things have changed drastically everywhere due to Covid. Good news: we felt safe and easily able to enjoy our experience the whole day.

Before we headed to the park, I downloaded the Worlds of Fun app on my phone. This made our whole day so much easier! Worlds of Fun has switched to a cashless system inside their parks, and the app allowed me to easily stash my park tickets, meal deal tickets, and drink tickets all in one place. We took advantage of the souvenir drink bottles - refills were free all day during our visit, and when we go back again, they will cost just $1 each (tax included)!

My kids are 8 and 10 years old. Their favorite part of the park was definitely Camp Snoopy! Even though many of the rides are aimed at the very youngest park guests, there was still an abundance of options that my kids enjoyed (and begged to ride repeatedly). Our very favorites were Lucy's Tugboat, the Kite-Eating Tree, and Sally's Swing. I enjoyed the nostalgia that the Peanuts Gang created, and thought the whole Camp Snoopy area was very well-designed. There was just one entrance/exit into this zone, so I wasn't concerned about watching multiple entry points to keep an eye on my kids.

The day we visited was VERY warm, but the staff kept kids smiling even while waiting for rides. We only covered a small amount of the 235 acre park during our afternoon visit, and we're thinking that a season pass may be in order for our family! We want to have time to go back and explore many, many more times. I'm not sure anyone could get through every single activity in one day....the park has over one hundred rides, water slides, and live shows - plus seven world-class roller coasters! It is called WORLDS of Fun after all, and no one has ever made it around the whole world in just one day!

We are really thrilled to see this Kansas City landmark back in operation again after the uncertainty that Covid-19 has caused for the entertainment industry as a whole, and we can't wait until things get even more "back to normal." Our family was delighted with our Worlds of Fun adventure, and we can't wait to go back this year or next for future special events like Halloween Haunt and WinterFest!

Want to go check out Worlds of Fun, too? The very best place to buy tickets is at WorldsofFun.com! Make sure you check the website and social media pages for the latest operating calendar updates.

Thank you to Worlds of Fun for providing our tickets, meals+drinks, and family memories! All opinions expressed are my own.

Post-Quarantine Shopping? Support Independent Artists and #ShopRedBubble!

noreply@blogger.com (Julie @ Director Jewels) — Tue, 18 May 2021 16:06:00 +0000

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Sivan Social. All comments and opinions are my own.

If there's one thing an ongoing pandemic has taught me, it's to stop taking things for granted and to look for silver linings through hardship. Many people turned to online shopping during the pandemic - but for me, part of the fun of shopping is being able to make a conscious choice about where my money is being invested. I love finding hidden gems in the local business community and supporting them whenever possible! As a small business owner myself, I can't imagine doing anything else. So where can you find a silver lining in a pandemic-shopping world where all the local shops are closed?

At the beginning of the 2020 quarantine, I was looking for face masks that would fit my personality as a theater teacher. I have a vintage/eclectic sense of style and that is not something that is always readily available in a big box store! So I googled "Broadway masks" and stumbled across a wide variety of options in a hidden gem of an online store - RedBubble.

Not familiar with RedBubble? It's a little corner of the internet where over 700,000 independent artists and designers have joined together to share their passions with the world. The company, founded in 2006, is located in Melbourne, Australia - but artists around the globe use the platform to gain exposure and offer their creations for sale.

My mask-searching was actually not my first experience with RedBubble - I have purchased several items from them over the past few years, including my very beloved stained glass window phone case. This case has held up to my incessant mistreatment of my phone (I drop it routinely) for years now! I wasn't planning to buy a new phone case, but when I saw this one, it was instant love.

RedBubble is a fantastic place to shop since they are able to offer a variety of extremely unique items. Hundreds of designs can be printed onto just about any product that you could dream up - t-shirts, notebooks, stickers, laptop cases, clocks, blankets...you name it, they've probably got it! I have ordered from RedBubble multiple times in the past and have always been pleased with the quality of their items. I was so thrilled to pick out a few favorite things to share!

I've been obsessed with stickers since I was a child, so I gravitated toward the selection of stickers very quickly! A few favorites that I snagged include this plant sticker, an "I can't - I have rehearsal" sticker (#dramateacherlife), and this absolutely adorable bike sticker. Now if only I could find that purple bike cruiser in real life and keep it in my garage! I also could not resist this Together in Paris sticker, and plan to use it to continue to spread love for the greatest movie of all time.

Savings.com is giving away six $50 e-gift codes and one $100 e-gift code to spend at Redbubble! Contest is open now through May 20, so get your entries in fast! And let me know what you find when you #ShopRedBubble!

Thank you to Sivan Social for sponsoring this post. For more information, you can read my Disclosure Policy.

Dear Eight-Year-Old Me #AmericanGirlMemories

noreply@blogger.com (Julie @ Director Jewels) — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 05:50:00 +0000

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Sivan Social. All comments and opinions are my own.

Dear eight-year-old Julie,

Hey, it's me. I mean...it's YOU...twenty-some years in the future.

I know that you've recently spent hours and hours poring over that mail order catalogue from Pleasant Company, featuring all those really amazing American Girl dolls. You know how you think you won't make it through another day unless you receive that magical "Molly" doll for your upcoming ninth birthday? I don't want to give anything away (so watch out because there are some major spoilers below), but I can't help it - I just have a feeling that you might want the inside scoop on how things are going to turn out.

Sure enough, that beautiful doll is going to find its way into your arms when you turn nine. #BestBirthdayEver, right?! She's going to become the best friend you can imagine! You're going to bring her with you everywhere. You might have a panic attack when she's loved so well that her leg falls off - but don't worry! After a quick trip to the American Girl hospital, she'll be back with a shiny balloon and your adventures can continue.

A few years after you turn nine, you're going to be absolutely thrilled to receive a Samantha doll, as well. She may not go on quite as many adventures with you as Molly did, but you're still going to love both of them with all your heart. You'll keep them long past childhood because you can't imagine giving them away. Besides...what if you have a daughter someday?

But, that's a long way off. Between now and then, you'll continue channeling your love for American Girl by recommending the books wholeheartedly to every child who you encounter when you're working as a librarian. You'll be the founder of an "American Girl Book Club" and bring kids together routinely to share their thoughts about each of the different characters. Over time, you'll help many, many students learn how to use old-time skills to make crafts and keepsakes inspired by these characters. You'll host more American Girl themed tea parties than you can remember, and you'll smile every single time a child learns something through the eyes and experience of these girls you've always loved. And yes - your Molly and Samantha dolls will be along for the ride throughout all of this.

Around ten years from now, you'll finally make it to New York City - where you'll excitedly take your girlfriends on your first EVER trip to American Girl Place. You'll spend more time there than anywhere else near 5th Avenue, and you'll be wishing you could bring home the entire collection! From that point on, anytime you are in New York, you'll make it a point to stop and visit the store.

However, the best thing that's going to happen is even further down the road. In 2020, you're going to have your own little girl who's turning eight years old - and that's going to be even more special than you can dream right now. That little girl is going to wholeheartedly embrace your love for these dolls and their world, and together, you're going to live through the magic all over again. There is something incredibly special about passing on your treasured keepsakes to your kids. Don't believe me? Just you wait and see how spectacular it is when the only thing she wants for her eighth birthday is that Samantha doll of yours.

She's going to read the books over and over again. She'll giggle when Samantha teases Eddie Ryland. She's going to make secret presents and sneak them under the tree on Christmas Eve so she can feel like a Christmas secret-keeper like Molly. She's going to say "Mom, do you know what Felicity and Elizabeth keep calling Elizabeth's sister?!" And after you reply "Bananabelle, of course!," you'll both laugh and laugh.

Oh, and her Halloween costume that same year she turns eight? It's a matching Samantha dress from Pleasant Company (but don't get too jealous of your kid....even though I know you'd die of excitement if you had that dress in your collection).

Eight-year-old self, there's a little something more that I think you should know. Those characters and their stories are going to become such a big part of who you are. They're going to help define how you see the world. You're going to remember Felicity's loyalty, Kirsten's pioneer spirit, Addy's quest for freedom, Samantha's hopes for justice and equality, and Molly's patriotism and spunk - and each of those things is going to contribute to the woman you grow up to be. But it won't stop there! You'll be able to share those same stories and so many more with your own daughter, and watch her form her own thoughts and opinions about how to tackle the world as she grows up...your very own little world-changing American Girl.

It's going to be beyond beautiful.

If you are looking for a gift this year, consider an American Girl doll - it may end up becoming a family heirloom (like ours have). We had to add a Julie doll to our collection this year because...well, that's my name! And to those of you who might be wondering....no, my daughter Addie was not technically named after an American Girl character. But with both of our names represented in the historical character collection, we kinda think we're gonna be American Girl fans for the long haul.

American Girl is offering free shipping on orders of $135+ this holiday season! Leave a comment and let me know which doll was your favorite growing up...and which one you would choose now!

Thank you to Sivan Social for sponsoring this post. For more information, you can read my Disclosure Policy.

Hairspray at Kansas City Starlight Theatre {Review}

noreply@blogger.com (Julie @ Director Jewels) — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 15:00:00 +0000

Disclosure: I received press passes to attend this event. No other compensation was received and all opinions expressed are my own.

The cast of Hairspray. Photo by Andrew Mather. Photo courtesy of Starlight Theatre.

Welcome to a whirlwind of energy, laughter, and pure joy - Hairspray has arrived at Kansas City's Starlight Theatre and it is a show not to be missed!

Erin Riley as Amber VonTussle, Don Denton as Corny Collins, Eric Geil as Link Larkin
and the cast of Hairspray. Photo by Andrew Mather. Photo courtesy of Starlight Theatre.

Hairspray originally opened on Broadway in 2002 and went on to win eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The show hasn't been at Starlight since 2006, so this is a welcome treat to the season lineup this year!

Broadway veteran and two-time Tony nominee Brad Oscar leads the cast as Edna Turnblad. Oscar was previously seen at Starlight in The Producers in 2010. The supporting cast boasts the talent of many Kansas City actors and the local support was evident throughout the show during opening weekend as the crowd cheered for their favorite performers.

Brad Oscar as Edna Turnblad, Jessica Alcorn as Tracy Turnblad and the cast of Hairspray.
Photo by Andrew Mather. Photo courtesy of Starlight Theatre.

If you're not familiar with the story, here's the synopsis from Starlight Theatre:

Set in 1960's Baltimore, Hairspray tells the story of 16-year-old Tracy Turnblad, who intends to groove her way onto TV's most popular dance program, "The Corny Collins Show." After auditioning and winning a role with the show's dance company, Tracy becomes an overnight sensation and uses her nnewfound influence to advocate for the show's racial integration. With the help of her fellow cast mates, Tracy tries to change the workd, dethrone the reigning Teen Queen and win the affections of heartthrob Link Larkin...all without denting her 'do!

Stephen Scott Wormley as Seaweed J. Stubbs, Katie Karel as Penny Pingleton and the cast of Hairspray.
Photo by Andrew Mathers. Photo courtesy of Starlight Theatre.

The cast was full of energy and it was easy to believe that they were enjoying the evening just as much as those of us in the crowd. Kansas City natives Jessica Alcorn (Tracy Turnblad) and Eric Geil (Link Larkin) took us on a wild journey as they learned to stand up to those who opposed change and progress. Standout characters included Stephen Scott Wormley (Seaweed J. Stubbs), who spent much of the show wowing the attendees with his flexibility and dance skills, and Katie Karel (Penny Pingleton), who continually brought those of us in the audience to uproarious laughter with her wit and antics.

Catch the show before it's too late - it's playing now through August 2!

The cast of Hairspray. Photo by Andrew Mather. Photo courtesy of Starlight Theatre.

Tickets for Hairspray at Starlight Theatre are on sale now for $14+. Tickets are available online at Starlight Theatre, by calling 816.363.STAR (7827) or at the Starlight box office at 4600 Starlight Road, Kansas City, MO 64132. Evening performances begin at 8 p.m.

Thanks to Starlight Theatre for providing my tickets to the show. I received no other compensation and all views expressed are my own. For more information, you can read my Disclosure Policy.

The King and I at Kansas City Starlight Theatre {Review}

noreply@blogger.com (Julie @ Director Jewels) — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 13:00:00 +0000

Disclosure: I received press passes to attend this event. No other compensation was received and all opinions expressed are my own.

Elena Shaddow and the royal children in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I.
Photo by Jeremy Daniel.

It's summer in Kansas City again, and that means that it's time to spend some evenings out under the stars at the iconic Starlight Theatre. Starlight has a lineup of many Broadway shows to entertain and astound you this year - and this week is your chance to catch the Lincoln Center Theater Production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I.

Elena Shaddow as Anna Leonowens in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I.
Photo by Jeremy Daniel.

The King and I originally opened on Broadway in 1951 and played for nearly three years. It has since had many revivals, most recently at the Vivian Beaumont Theater, where the production won four Tony Awards in 2015.

Elena Shaddow, Baylen Thomas and Rhyees Stump in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I.
Photo by Jeremy Daniel.

If you're not familiar with the story, here's the synopsis from Starlight Theatre:

One of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s finest works, THE KING AND I boasts a score that features such beloved classis as "Getting To Know You," "Hello, Young Lovers," "Shall We Dance," "I Have Dreamed," and "Something Wonderful." Set in 1860's Bangkok, the musical tells the story of the unconventional and tempestuous relationship that develops between the King of Siam and Anna Leonowens, a British schoolteacher, whom the modernist King, in an imperialistic world, brings to Siam to teach his many wives and children.

Jose Llana and Elena Shaddow in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I.
Photo by Jeremy Daniel.

This production, led by Jose Llana (The King of Siam) and Elena Shaddow (Anna Leonowens), is absolutely visually stunning to watch. It was not difficult to believe that we had left the Western world and entered into an unfamiliar, breathtaking place in Siam. The Tony-Award winning costume design by Catherine Zuber left me wishing I could touch each of the vibrant colors and rich textures of the fabrics used. I could have watch Anna dance in the "Shall We Dance?" ballgown for much longer than the song allowed!

The cast is strong and supports each other well. Overall, this production is well worth spending an evening under the stars for - and you will have missed something truly wonderful if you let it leave Kansas City before you've seen it!

Q Lim as Tuptim and Kavin Panmeechao as Lun Tha in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I.
Photo by Jeremy Daniel.

Tickets for The King and I at Starlight Theatre are on sale now for $14+. Tickets are available online at Starlight Theatre, by calling 816.363.STAR (7827) or at the Starlight box office at 4600 Starlight Road, Kansas City, MO 64132. Evening performances begin at 8 p.m.

Thanks to Starlight Theatre for providing my tickets to the show. I received no other compensation and all views expressed are my own. For more information, you can read my Disclosure Policy.

Tuck Everlasting at Kansas City's Coterie Theatre {Review}

noreply@blogger.com (Julie @ Director Jewels) — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 14:00:00 +0000

Disclosure: I received press passes to attend this production at The Coterie Theatre. I received no other compensation and all views expressed are my own.

It may just be barely springtime in Kansas City, but at the Coterie Theatre - located inside Crown Center - you can already feel the sweltering, overbearing heat of the first week of August. The Coterie has been transformed into the small town of Treegap, and a visit to this odd little place is a must for KC area families this spring.

Aurelia Power (as Winnie Foster), Fisher Stewart (as Jesse Tuck), Gary Neal Johnson
(as Angus Tuck), Nancy Marcy (as Mae Tuck), Tyler Rowe (as Miles Tuck), and
Jonathan Lloyd Schriock (as Stranger in the Yellow Suit) in Tuck Everlasting
by Natalie Babbitt and adapted by Mark J. Frattaroli. Directed by Jeff Church.
Live on stage at The Coterie, February 27 - April 5, 2018.
Photo by J. Robert Schraeder and courtesy of Coterie Theatre.

Tuck Everlasting tells the story of Angus and Mae Tuck and their boys Miles and Jesse, who live an extraordinary life thanks to a spring of water they discover in the woods of Treegap. After drinking from the spring, they never age - not a single day. The family separates to throw off suspicions, but they reunite once every ten years near the spring where it all started. It just so happens that young Winnie Foster runs into Jesse Tuck near the spring during one of the family's reunions...and before she knows it, she is drawn into their secretive and adventurous world.

Gary Neal Johnson (as Angus Tuck), Nancy Marcy (as Mae Tuck), and Aurelia Power
(as Winnie Foster) in Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt and adapted by Mark J. Frattaroli.
Directed by Jeff Church. Live on stage at The Coterie, February 27 - April 5, 2018.
Photo by J. Robert Schraeder and courtesy of Coterie Theatre.

As usual, the Coterie has put together a production that is thought-provoking, charming, and heartwarming all at once. Each of the characters brings their own piece to the story, and their lives are all undeniably changed by the friendships which are made as the show unfolds.

Aurelia Power (as Winnie Foster) and Fisher Stewart (as Jesse Tuck) in Tuck Everlasting
by Natalie Babbitt and adapted by Mark J. Frattaroli.
Directed by Jeff Church. Live on stage at The Coterie, February 27 - April 5, 2018.
Photo by J. Robert Schraeder and courtesy of Coterie Theatre.

The cast features Gary Neal Johnson, Nancy Marcy, Fisher Stewart, Tyler Alan Rowe, Jonathan Lloyd Schriock, George Forbes, Aurelia Power, and Bonita Hanson. The cast worked well together as an ensemble and created a magical world onstage that was easy to believe. Gary Neal Johnson may be recognized by Kansas City audiences as Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol at the KC Rep, and I enjoyed the chance to see him portray another character as Angus Tuck. Fisher Stewart, who played Jesse Tuck, kept the audience in stitches with his acrobatics and comedic timing.

Gary Neal Johnson (as Angus Tuck) and Aurelia Power (as Winnie Foster) in
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt and adapted by Mark J. Frattaroli. Directed by Jeff Church.
Live on stage at The Coterie, February 27 - April 5, 2018.
Photo by J. Robert Schraeder and courtesy of Coterie Theatre.

The production is recommended by the Coterie for families with children who are 9 or older. The show runs about 65 minutes with no intermission and is a perfect way to spend an afternoon or evening while exploring Kansas City.

Aurelia Power (as Winnie Foster), Fisher Stewart (as Jesse Tuck), Tyler Rowe
(as Miles Tuck),and Gary Neal Johnson (as Angus Tuck) in Tuck Everlasting by
Natalie Babbitt and adapted by Mark J. Frattaroli. Directed by Jeff Church.
Live on stage at The Coterie, February 27 - April 5, 2018.
Photo by J. Robert Schraeder and courtesy of Coterie Theatre.

Tuck Everlasting plays now through April 5 at the Coterie. Tickets are available online.

Disclosure: I received press passes to attend this production at The Coterie Theatre. I received no other compensation and all views expressed are my own.

Disney on Ice: Dare to Dream Family 4-Pack Ticket Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Julie @ Director Jewels) — Wed, 14 Mar 2018 22:06:00 +0000

Disclosure: I will receive media passes to this event. No other compensation has been received. All views expressed are my own.

Oh my goodness, we are so excited - Disney on Ice is headed back to Kansas City at the end of the month!

We've been so excited for this particular ice show for awhile, because my daughter is obsessed with Rapunzel. She cannot wait to see Rapunzel live and in person (we're hoping she waves at us again).

While my daughter is referring to the upcoming event as "the Rapunzel show," Dare to Dream also features many other famous and well-loved Disney characters - including Moana, Elsa, Anna, Belle, Cinderella, and Mickey and Minnie! It's said to be an expedition across raging seas and snow-covered mountains in this action-packed extravaganza.

Here's some info from the official press release regarding the show:

Celebrate what’s possible as five Disney heroines spark the courage inside us all in Disney On Ice presents Dare To Dream! In her Disney On Ice debut, see how far Moana will go in an epic adventure with demigod, Maui, to save her island and discover her true identity. Join Belle as she fearlessly befriends the enchanted castle staff and reveals the Beast’s gentleness. Experience Anna’s devotion to her sister, Elsa, on her life-changing journey to stop an eternal winter. Explore with Rapunzel, Flynn Ryder, Cinderella and friends from around the Disney Kingdom as they find the heart and determination to overcome obstacles and make their dreams come true. Journey with Mickey and Minnie to uncover why no goal is too big when we find the strength to shape our own destiny at Disney On Ice presents Dare To Dream!

This show will play March 28-April 1 at the Sprint Center in Kansas City!

You can purchase Disney on Ice tickets now, plus make sure you are following along on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest info!

Here are the upcoming show times:

Wednesday, March 28: 7 p.m.
Thursday, March 29: 7 p.m.
Friday, March 30: 10:30 a.m., 3 p.m., 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 31: 11 a.m., 3 p.m., 7 p.m.
Sunday, April 1: 3 p.m.

Giveaway

One person will win a Family 4-pack of tickets to Disney on Ice at the Sprint Center. Winner will receive vouchers which can be redeemed at the box office for tickets to any of the following performances:
• Wednesday, March 28, 7 p.m.
• Thursday, March 29, 7 p.m.
• Friday, March 30, 10:30 a.m.
• Friday, March 30, 3 p.m.

This giveaway is open to US readers only. Winner will be emailed and will have 24 hours to respond or prize will be forfeited.

To enter the giveaway, follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter form below (you may need Javascript enabled to see the form and it may take a moment to load)! Once you complete the first entry, the other options will open up so that you can complete them as well. All of the "extra entries" are optional - you can do just one, or as many as you want! Winners will be contacted by email. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: All opinions expressed are my own. For more information, you can read my Giveaway Policy and my Disclosure Policy.

Lavender Oatmeal Bath Soak with Essential Oils DIY + Free Printable

noreply@blogger.com (Julie @ Director Jewels) — Sat, 25 Nov 2017 04:49:00 +0000

I blinked...and the holidays are here. How did that happen?! Holiday gift-giving is so much fun, and I especially love it when I can incorporate some oily goodness into it. I had to prep a really quick gift last week, and I ended up making this Lavender Essential Oil Oatmeal Relaxing Bath Soak. This idea was adapted from Young Living's own Lavender-Oatmeal Bath Soak recipe.

This recipe is SO easy to make - it didn't take long at all! I put some in bath jars, then put even more in 3x4" plastic bags so that I have them on hand for last-minute gifts. Then I printed up a quick label to attach to the jars and the bags! I've made that into a PDF (linked below) so that you can make them quickly, too! I've also made these Lavender Essential Oils Bath Bombs in a pinch for a quick gift, but they take a bit longer than this soak.

Lavender Oatmeal Relaxing Bath Soak
Supplies Needed:
-1 cup Epsom salt
-1/2 cup Baking Soda
-1 cup Quick Oats
-20-25 drops Lavender Young Living Essential Oil
-Mixing Bowl & Spoon
-Food Processor

Optional:
-Lavender Oatmeal Bath Soak Printable
-Mini Clear 3x4" Bags (I found mine at Hobby Lobby)
-Staples
OR
-Small Glass Containers with lids

How to make them:

1. Put oats in a food processor and grind until they reach a fine consistency (like flour). You'll probably have some floating oatmeal flakes in the bathtub, so the smaller you can grind them, the better.

2. Combine all dry ingredients in a bowl.

3. Add essential oils and stir until they are distributed evenly.

4. Toss about 1 cup in the bathtub when you need some time to relax!

And that's it! See? Super easy. Who is on your gift giving list this Christmas? I think I will give some of this goodness to friends, family, teachers, students....basically anyone who could use a little "me" time! And I think I'll keep a huge jar of this on my own bathroom counter, too!

We Shall Not Be Moved: The Student Sit-Ins of 1960 at Kansas City's Coterie Theatre {Review}

noreply@blogger.com (Julie @ Director Jewels) — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 13:00:00 +0000

Disclosure: I received press passes to attend this production at The Coterie Theatre. I received no other compensation and all views expressed are my own.

The Coterie Theatre has been one of my favorite performing arts venues in Kansas City since I was very young. The Coterie has always offered productions that both entertain and challenge their audiences. The theatre has just kicked off its 39th season, and they are off to a very thought-provoking start with We Shall Not Be Moved: The Student Sit-Ins of 1960.

Left to Right: Darrington Clark (as Young Man), Antonia Washington (as Yvonne),
Khrystal L. Coppage (as Dierdre), and Robert E. Coppage III (as Eugene Conrad)
in The Coterie’s production of, We Shall Not Be Moved, by Ed Simpson.
Directed by Jeff Church, on stage September 19 - October 22, 2017.
Photo by J. Robert Schraeder and courtesy of The Coterie Theatre.

Written by Ed Simpson and directed by Jeff Church, the production tells the story of the student-led sit-in at segregated lunch counters which inspired a movement of non-violent protests. The play shows us how the students (inspired by Martin Luther King, Jr.) and their non-violent demonstration eventually gained momentum to inspire an entire generation to stand up for their Civil Rights. Similar to The Coterie's Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which was produced back in 2014, We Shall Not Be Moved was deeply moving and motivating.

Left to Right: Robert E. Coppage III (as Eugene Conrad) and
Khrystal L. Coppage (as Dierdre) in The Coterie’s production of, We Shall Not Be Moved,
by Ed Simpson. Directed by Jeff Church, on stage September 19 - October 22, 2017.
Photo by J. Robert Schraeder and courtesy of The Coterie Theatre.

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the play is the interactive audience-participation, which allows those who are watching the production to ask questions of the performers and have them answer while still in character. Many of the young kids in the audience the day I attended brought up questions that otherwise might not have crossed the mind of the audience - such as When did segregation begin? and Why did you not want your child to be involved in the sit-ins? Hearing the actors answer the questions while still in character made it much easier for the kids to absorb the history lesson rooted in this production. Audience members of all ages participated when asked what they thought was the motivation behind the characters making certain choices throughout the show.

It might seem like the show would come to a screeching halt with the addition of a question and answer segment in the middle of the performance, but the production quality is high and the actors were able to carry on after ending the interactive segment as though nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.

Left to Right: Khrystal L. Coppage (as Dierdre), Antonia Washington (as Yvonne),
Darrington Clark (as Young Man), and Alisa Lynn (as Jenny) in The Coterie’s production of,
We Shall Not Be Moved, by Ed Simpson. Directed by Jeff Church, on stage September 19 -
October 22, 2017. Photo by J. Robert Schraeder and courtesy of The Coterie Theatre.

We Shall Not Be Moved is a uniquely compelling piece. I am certain that many audience members will leave the production and look at their world through a different lens. Change comes when people are willing to stand up for what is right. I hope that this production reaches as many people as possible during its short run. It will be truly inspirational for young people, teens, and adults alike to see what is possible when even just one person decides to take a stand for what they believe in.

Left to Right: Khrystal L. Coppage (as Dierdre), Antonia Washington (as Yvonne),
Darrington Clark (as Young Man), Tommy Waller (as Newspaper),
Daniel Eugene Parman (as Mike Perkins), Roan Ricker (as Jerry Bigelow),
Alisa Lynn (as Debbie), Matthew J. Williamson (as Phil Perkins), and
Deanna Mazdra (as May) in The Coterie’s production of, We Shall Not Be Moved,
by Ed Simpson. Directed by Jeff Church, on stage September 19 - October 22, 2017.
Photo by J. Robert Schraeder and courtesy of The Coterie Theatre.

The show runs approximately 75 minutes with no intermission. The performance is designed to be enjoyed by adults, teens, and young people aged 11 and older, but the day I attended, there were a lot of young kids in the audience and they stayed engaged throughout the production.

Left to Right: Matthew J. Williamson (as Publisher) and Darrington Clark (as Young Man)
in The Coterie’s production of, We Shall Not Be Moved, by Ed Simpson.
Directed by Jeff Church, on stage September 19 - October 22, 2017.
Photo by J. Robert Schraeder and courtesy of The Coterie Theatre.

We Shall Not Be Moved: The Student Sit-Ins of 1960 plays now through October 22 at the Coterie. Tickets are available online.

Disclosure: I received press passes to attend this production at The Coterie Theatre. I received no other compensation and all views expressed are my own.

Grease at Kansas City Starlight Theatre {Review}

noreply@blogger.com (Julie @ Director Jewels) — Sat, 09 Sep 2017 17:00:00 +0000

Disclosure: I received press passes to attend this event. No other compensation was received and all opinions expressed are my own.

Is there a specific show that you would say defines summer theatre? Perhaps one of the most iconic, well-loved musicals is Grease, and this week only, you can catch this production at Kansas City's own Starlight Theatre!

Photo Courtesy of Starlight Theatre

Grease originally opened on Broadway in 1972, where it ran for eight years and 3,388 performances. Now an entertainment franchise, the show has earned seven Tony® Award nominations and two Drama Desk Awards, spawned a hit movie (1978), two Broadway revivals (1994 and 2007), a TV reality show “Grease: You’re the One That I Want” (2007), and, most recently, the Grease, Live! TV performance starring Aaron Tveit on FOX (2016). "Grease: You're the One That I Want" was my favorite TV show back in 2007 and I have to tell you that I voted for the eventual winners, Max Crumm and (the incredible) Laura Osnes every week!

Photo Courtesy of Starlight Theatre

If you're not familiar with the story, here's the synopsis from Starlight Theatre:

At the heart of the musical’s story is the budding romance of bad boy Danny Zuko and virtuous
new girl Sandy Dumbrowski. When the two wind up at the same high school in the fall, their
summer love is put to the test by the familiar forces of peer pressure and close-knit cliques,
personified by Danny’s gang of Greasers and Sandy’s soon-to-be-friends, the Pink Ladies.
Through the halls of Rydell High to the Burger Palace, drive-in movie and pajama parties,
Starlight audiences will ride along as Danny and Sandy navigate the trials of young love.

Photo Courtesy of Starlight Theatre

The lead roles of Danny Zuko and Sandy Dumbrowski are played by Timothy Michael Quinn and Heidi Webster, respectively. They each brought these classic characters to life and the Starlight audience on opening night seemed to thoroughly enjoy their interpretation of the roles. Standout characters during the performance include Eric Geil (Roger), Anthony Norman (Doody), and Anthony Sullivan (Teen Angel). The number Beauty School Dropout had the entire audience rolling with laughter.

The production is directed by Philip Wm. McKinley, who has returned to Kansas City to direct his 11th musical at Starlight. McKinley’s most recent Starlight directing credits are Disney’s Mary Poppins (2015) and The Sound of Music (2014).

Photo Courtesy of Starlight Theatre

Note for parents - Grease is a classic, but it includes some adult themes and mild language. I personally would recommend it for older teenagers and up. Or, just make sure that you look up the show content before bringing the youngest Broadway fans so that you know what to expect!

Tickets for Grease at Starlight Theatre are on sale now for $15-$143+. Tickets are available online at Starlight Theatre, by calling 816.363.STAR (7827) or at the Starlight box office at 4600 Starlight Road, Kansas City, MO 64132. Evening performances begin at 8 p.m. Enjoy one of 2017's last few summer nights out under the stars - and make sure you bring your dancing shoes for the singalong during the curtain call!

Thanks to Starlight Theatre for providing my tickets to the show. I received no other compensation and all views expressed are my own. For more information, you can read my Disclosure Policy.

Disney on Ice: Dream Big Family 4-Pack Ticket Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Julie @ Director Jewels) — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 05:59:00 +0000

Disclosure: I will receive media passes to this event. No other compensation has been received. All views expressed are my own.

Oh my goodness - Kansas City readers, get ready to DREAM BIG - because Disney on Ice is headed to town!

We can't wait to see this show - it's been about a year and a half since my family has been to a Disney on Ice show and we are all so excited for this one. It's just about two weeks away!

Enter a world where adventure is awaiting at Disney On Ice presents Dream Big. Join the Disney Princesses as they learn that courage leads the way. Then watch Anna, Elsa and Olaf from Disney’s Frozen discover that true love is the greatest magic of all. Believing is just the beginning when Disney On Ice presents Dream Big skates into Kansas City!

I'm expecting lots of magic to unfold - both on the ice and probably also in my four-year-old daughter's eyes as she sees her favorite princesses come to life! My kids usually enjoy dressing up to attend Disney shows, and I'm excited to see which characters they want to portray this time. Is it weird for mom to dress up too? At the rate I'm going, I don't think I'll ever outgrow Disney - and I'm perfectly fine with that!

This spectacular show will play September 14 - 17 at the Sprint Center in Kansas City!

You can purchase Disney on Ice tickets now, plus make sure you are following along on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest info!

Here are the upcoming show times:

Thursday, September 14 - 7 PM
Friday, September 15 - 7 PM
Saturday, September 16 - 11 AM, 3 PM. and 7 PM
Sunday, September 17 - 1 PM and 5 PM

Giveaway

One person will win a Family 4-pack of tickets to Disney on Ice at the Sprint Center on September 14 at 7:00 PM. This giveaway is open to US readers only. Winner will be emailed and will have 24 hours to respond or prize will be forfeited.

An American in Paris: A New Musical at Kansas City Starlight Theatre {Review}

noreply@blogger.com (Julie @ Director Jewels) — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 13:00:00 +0000

Disclosure: I received press passes to attend this event. No other compensation was received and all opinions expressed are my own.

An American in Paris touring company. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

I wasn't really sure what to expect from this week's touring production of An American in Paris at Kansas City's Starlight Theatre. I hadn't heard the original cast recording and I missed the Tony's the year the production won four awards. So I was very excited to see what this show was all about!

McGee Maddox and Sara Esty in An American in Paris. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

Set in Paris in the late 1940's (just after the end of WWII), An American in Paris follows the story of an American soldier, Jerry Mulligan, and the lovely yet elusive ballerina he falls for, Lise.

The lead roles of Jerry Mulligan and Lise Dassin are played by McGee Maddox (National Ballet of Canada) and Sara Esty (Miami City Ballet). Joining them in the principal cast are Etai Benson (Wicked) as Adam Hochberg, Emily Ferranti (Wicked, Dreamgirls)as Milo Davenport, Gayton Scott (Gypsy, The Women) as Madame Baurel, and Nick Spangler (The Book of Mormon, Rogers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella) as Henri Baurel.

An American in Paris touring company. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

The whole show feels like something out of a classic film - with lots of singing, dancing, and magical moments. The score features many familiar tunes such as “I Got Rhythm,” “Liza,” “’S Wonderful,” “But Not forMe,” “I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise,”and orchestral music including “Concerto in F,” “Second Prelude,” “Second Rhapsody/Cuban Overture” and “An American in Paris.”

There have been many times I have not been impressed with the use of pre-existing music as score for a new musical, but in this case it works - and it works well. The storyline flowed easily and the music seemed to be made to tell this tale.

Nick Spangler, McGee Maddox and Etai Benson in An American in Paris. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

The visuals provided by the always-moving set design were simply lovely and they contributed to the overall romantic feel of the piece. Several times the dance numbers made me think of the 2016 film La La Land - and I wonder if An American in Paris perhaps inspired that movie to some degree.

A note for families - there was some mild sexual humor and quite a few instances where the characters cursed onstage. It wasn't overt, but parents of little ones may want to be aware before making the decision to take the whole family. It was definitely appropriate for teens and up and I think it's safe to say could be enjoyed by all ages. I wish I could see it again!

Nick Spangler and the An American in Paris touring company. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

Tickets for An American in Paris at Starlight Theatre are on sale now for $15-$143+. Tickets are available online at Starlight Theatre, by calling 816.363.STAR (7827) or at the Starlight box office at 4600 Starlight Road, Kansas City, MO 64132. Evening performances begin at 8 p.m.

Thanks to Starlight Theatre for providing my tickets to the show. I received no other compensation and all views expressed are my own. For more information, you can read my Disclosure Policy.

The Little Mermaid at Kansas City Starlight Theatre {Review}

noreply@blogger.com (Julie @ Director Jewels) — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 13:00:00 +0000

Disclosure: I received press passes to attend this event. No other compensation was received and all opinions expressed are my own.

Travel under the stars - and under the sea - to the most magical show in town this week... Disney's The Little Mermaid at Starlight Theatre! You can catch the performance through June 11. This show was certainly a fun kick-off to Starlight's summer season and we can't wait for more.

The opening production of Starlight's 67th season is a family-friendly adventure, and the night that we attended there were lots of little Ariels out in the crowd waiting for the show to begin. The "Princess Cam" was a fun perk of the pre-show screen entertainment - watch for that if you have little ones attending with you.

Starlight's season consists of The Little Mermaid, Jersey Boys, An American in Paris, Something Rotten!, The Bodyguard, Motown the Musical, Grease, Mamma Mia!, and Kinky Boots. We'll be featuring reviews for a few of these shows here at Director Jewels, so make sure you stop by again to hear about our next adventure in July!

The familiar Disney version of The Little Mermaid was updated for the 2007 Broadway adaptation. I was lucky enough to catch that production on Broadway in the summer of 2008, and this is the first time since then that I have seen a professional production of the show. I couldn't wait to see another interpretation.

I was truly not disappointed! The use of fly lines to convey the mermaids swimming to and from the surface of the water was very convincing and different from the original production I saw almost nine years ago. I appreciated very much the artistic decisions that were made to include several little moments from the movie. Even small things, like the way Ariel and Eric looked at each other at certain points, were clearly taken directly from the film and since I grew up in the 90's when Ariel was a big deal - this was amazing for me to see.

The cast was excellent; they truly seemed to be enjoying themselves and did a wonderful job of bringing the story to life for us. Standouts were Scuttle (Jamie Torcellini), Sebastian (Melvin Abston), and Flounder (Connor Russell), who were given the not-so-easy task of bringing The Little Mermaid's beloved creature characters to life. Sebastian's crab walk cracked me up all night.

My four year old daughter attended the show with me and she was pretty enthralled for the majority of the performance. She was able to follow the story and was thrilled with Ariel overall (but especially her pink dress). I would advise getting to Starlight early if you have a little one in your party - head to guest services and grab a booster seat for them. We weren't there early enough to get a booster seat, but she switched back and forth between her seat and my lap and was able to see the whole show. Her visibility was definitely increased by the use of the large screens above the stage, which projected the show larger than life (concert-style) so that the audience could all see what was going on. While I appreciate that my daughter was able to follow the story a little better thanks to the screens, I was actually not a huge fan of them. I'm not used to screens during a live performance of this nature and they were a little distracting for me. I like to be able to take in the show as a whole, without necessarily needing to have a closeup view. But I do see how the screens would definitely enhance the viewing experience for those who were further back in the house.

Overall, it was a perfect evening at Starlight and I'm so thrilled I was able to continue this fun tradition with my girl after taking her to see Beauty and the Beast last year.

Tickets for The Little Mermaid at Starlight Theatre are on sale now for $15-$143+. Tickets are available online at Starlight Theatre, by calling 816.363.STAR (7827) or at the Starlight box office at 4600 Starlight Road, Kansas City, MO 64132. Evening performances begin at 8 p.m.

Thanks to Starlight Theatre for providing my tickets to the show. I received no other compensation and all views expressed are my own. For more information, you can read my Disclosure Policy.

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical at Kansas City's Coterie Theatre (now through December 31)

noreply@blogger.com (Julie @ Director Jewels) — Fri, 16 Dec 2016 07:54:00 +0000

Disclosure: I received press passes to attend this production at The Coterie Theatre. I received no other compensation and all views expressed are my own.

Two years ago, one of my favorite theaters in Kansas City - The Coterie - put on a joyous holiday production of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical. I saw it back then (read my review here) and was so excited to see it return to the Coterie stage for this holiday season as well. My kids enjoyed the show last time, but weren't really old enough to remember it after the fact. This time around? I don't think they will soon forget how magical the production was to watch!

Ron Lackey as Sam the Snowman in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical.
Photo by J. Robert Schraeder. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer ® The Rudolph Co., L.P.
All elements under license to Character Arts, LLC. All rights reserved.

It's hard work bringing iconic characters to life, but the design and directing team at the Coterie has again done a spectacular job. It felt like we could have been watching the classic cartoon special!

Left to right: Drake Taylor, Hannah Thompson, Zoe London, and Allison Banks (as Elves),
Emily Nan Phillips (as Mrs. Claus), and Zachrey York (as Santa Claus) in Rudolph the
Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical. Photo by J. Robert Schraeder. Rudolph the Red-Nosed
Reindeer ® The Rudolph Co., L.P. All elements under license to Character Arts, LLC.
All rights reserved.

My four year old daughter was a little nervous going into the show because she's not a big fan of the Abominable Snow Monster in the TV special. Happily, she made it through the production without any big complaints and said after "he wasn't as scary as I thought!" Kudos to the Coterie for making an impressive looking villain come to life onstage with staging that prevented the youngest audience members from being terrified!

Background: Tony Pulford (as Rudolph), Foreground
(Left to Right): Elise Campagna (as Clarice) and
Jacob Valle (as Puppeteer) in Rudolph the Red-Nosed
Reindeer: The Musical. Photo by J. Robert Schraeder.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer ® The Rudolph Co., L.P.
All elements under license to Character Arts, LLC.
All rights reserved.

Even if it's been a few years since you've seen the original on TV, you will still be able to appreciate the very authentic characters portrayed on the stage this winter. The cast is strong all around, with each member completely immersing themselves in their role and making the most of it. The kids in the audience were all in stitches over the Boss Elf, Hermey, Yukon Cornelius, and of course, Rudolph himself. I wish we could have seen it several times!

Left to right: Drake Taylor, Zoe London, Hannah Thompson, and Allison Banks (as Elves),
David LeVota (as Hermey), and Evan C. Phllips (as Boss Elf) in Rudolph the Red-Nosed
Reindeer: The Musical. Photo by J. Robert Schraeder. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer ®
The Rudolph Co., L.P. All elements under license to Character Arts, LLC. All rights reserved.

With a 60-minute runtime, this show is the perfect introduction to theater for young kids - or just a delightful part of a day's adventure at Crown Center. I am so excited to live in Kansas City, where we have excellent children's theater in our own backyard. Put this entertaining show - and future Coterie productions - on your must-see list!

Left to right: Jake Walker (as Yukon Cornelius), Tony Pulford (as Rudolph), and David LeVota
(as Hermey) in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical. Photo by J. Robert Schraeder.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer ® The Rudolph Co., L.P. All elements under license to
Character Arts, LLC. All rights reserved.

If you're in Kansas City, you don't want to miss this heartwarming holiday production! Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer plays now through December 31at the Coterie. Contact The Coterie for more info!

Disclosure: I received press passes to attend this production at The Coterie Theatre. I received no other compensation and all views expressed are my own.

Relaxing Lavender Bath Bombs DIY + Printable

noreply@blogger.com (Julie @ Director Jewels) — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 19:51:00 +0000

Being a mom is tough. Having kiddos who are rambunctious and energetic even when it's three hours past bedtime is tough. Finding a way to relax everyone when it's time for bed is an absolute necessity.

I recently made up a batch of these Relaxing Lavender Bath Bombs to share with some friends, but ended up keeping a lot of them for myself! I have loved using Epsom salts for bathtime for years - they're awesome for relieving tension and inflammation. I've started trying to add in essential oils for even more benefits.

These bath bombs are super easy to make - they're great for a make and take girls night, Christmas gifts, party favors...whatever you want!

Relaxing Lavender Bath Bombs
Supplies Needed:
-2 1/2 cups Epsom salts
-12-20 drops Lavender Young Living Essential Oil
-2 tbsp Water
-1 splash Vanilla (yes, a splash! Probably about 1/2 teaspoon, but the amount isn't critical)
-Muffin Pan (I used a mini pan to make these, but you could easily make them in a regular size tin, too)
-Mixing Bowl & Spoon

Optional:
-Relaxing Lavender Bath Bombs Printable
-Mini Clear Treat Bags (I found mine at Walmart)
-Staples

How to make them:

1. Combine Epsom salts, water, vanilla, and essential oils in bowl. Mix well. I made multiple batches and used different amounts of oils each time. When I used about 20 drops, the lavender smell was much stronger. It just depends on how strong you want them to smell!

2. Scoop the mixture directly into the muffin pan. Press firmly down into each muffin cup. Let the muffin pan sit while the bath bombs dry. I advise letting them sit overnight - for a minimum of at least 12-24 hours. I set mine out in the sun one afternoon when I needed them to be ready sooner and that took a couple of hours off the drying time. You want to wait until they're totally dry to remove them from the tin or they will fall to pieces!

3. Once they are dry, carefully flip the tin and gently tap on the cups to release the bath bombs.

4. Optional - if you're packaging these for gifts, add one to each clear treat bag. Print the Relaxing Lavender Bath Bomb tags, cut them out, fold, and staple on each bag.

There's no reason to stick with just lavender... You can add any essential oil that you might want to support your specific wellness need! I've used Stress Away, Endoflex, Thieves, and many others in the past! What oil would you like to try?

A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder at Kansas City's Starlight Theatre {Review}

noreply@blogger.com (Julie @ Director Jewels) — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 16:31:00 +0000

Disclosure: I received press passes to attend this event. No other compensation was received and all opinions expressed are my own.

If you live in Kansas City and you haven't made it to Starlight Theatre yet this summer, it's not too late! This week (through 8/14), you can catch the Tony Award winning show A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder out under the stars and the night sky.

This show is a stylized piece that features a toy stage inside a larger proscenium, which constantly opens to reveal new two-dimensional settings. The score has echoes of Gilbert and Sullivan, Lerner and Loewe and English music hall - it sounds very proper and refined, while some of the plot (it's about murder, after all) being played out onstage is anything but genteel.

The story begins as we meet Monty Navarro, a man who should have been born into a family of wealth and splendor, but who has instead spent his days poor and without connections. Upon learning he is eighth in line to inherit an earldom, he sets off to meet (....and possibly murder?) all of his distant relations.

The relatives are nearly all played by the same actor - in this production, John Rapson. I have seen a lot of theater and a lot of quick costume changes, but I was astounded by the way this one actor transformed into so many different characters - usually within a few seconds. Beyond the basics of a costume change, he adapted to completely different personalities right and left. It was amazing! I want to watch the whole show again so that I can time all of the costume changes.

This show is a bit unlike most other musicals - it had its very own flare and I enjoyed the new feel. I wouldn't recommend for kids or young teens due to some suggestive content and stylized violence, but for date night (or girls night), it was very fun!

Tickets for A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder at Starlight Theatre are on sale now for $15-$143+. Tickets are available online at Starlight Theatre, by calling 816.363.STAR (7827) or at the Starlight box office at 4600 Starlight Road, Kansas City, MO 64132. Evening performances begin at 8 p.m.

Thanks to Starlight Theatre for providing my tickets to the show. I received no other compensation and all views expressed are my own. For more information, you can read my Disclosure Policy.

Done With Diapers...But Not With WaterWipes!

noreply@blogger.com (Julie @ Director Jewels) — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 03:54:00 +0000

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by WaterWipes as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review.

I've never really made it a secret that I wanted to use only the most natural products for my kids when they were babies. It never made sense to me to slather them in chemicals during bathtime, bedtime, or even during the constant diaper changes. My son, especially, had very sensitive skin and a lot of products made his eczema breakouts worse. It became normal for me to seek the purest products I could find as I forged my way into motherhood.

Baby wipes were something I was always very particular about - because my son's skin was sensitive and we ended up with diaper rashes if we weren't careful! By the time I found out about WaterWipes, both of my kids were nearly out of diapers - but that didn't stop my rejoicing. Finally, I had found a baby wipe that I was comfortable using all the time.

So, what's all the hype? WaterWipes contain only TWO ingredients - yes, two! Those two things are 99.9% pure Irish water and 0.1% grapefruit seed extract. That is it! I used to be so frustrated reading packages of baby wipes where there were a dozen ingredients listed. How is all that necessary?! These wipes are effective - they work for diaper changes, for washing sticky fingers after a snack at the zoo, for cleaning up a spill in the car...as fellow moms, we all know that the possible messes with little ones around are unlimited.

And the best news? You can now purchase WaterWipes at Target! Do you hear the angels singing? Picking up my favorite baby wipes at my favorite store? It makes those "quick" runs to Target even better.

We keep WaterWipes just about everywhere: on the bathroom counter, in the kids' room, in my bag, in the car, with our arts and craft supplies, and anywhere else it seems they might come in handy. We may not be using diapers anymore, but we are definitely not out of the baby wipes days yet! Thank goodness for this chemical-free option - we're so happy to have them!

Want to win some WaterWipes from Target? I-C will randomly select winners from all program entries and will facilitate fulfillment of the winning prizes (5 winners).

What's your must-have baby product?

Beauty and the Beast at Kansas City's Starlight Theatre {Review}

noreply@blogger.com (Julie @ Director Jewels) — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 11:01:00 +0000

Disclosure: I received press passes to attend this event. No other compensation was received and all opinions expressed are my own.

There's no better way to spend a night out under the stars in Kansas City than at Starlight Theatre! A classic show has rolled into town for just this week, and it's one you will not want to miss. NETworks presents Disney's Beauty and the Beast - a family favorite that is a wonder to behold.

Brooke Quintana as Belle and the cast of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

You're in for a treat with this touring Broadway adaptation of Disney's 1991 animated film. This particular tour has been on the road for eleven months, but that doesn't stop them from bringing a high-energy, visually stunning production right here to Kansas City!

The show features the famous songs from the movie including Belle, Gaston, Beauty and the Beast, and Be Our Guest, plus additional numbers created for the expansion of the show on Broadway. I was a little disappointed that two songs were cut from those included in the original Broadway production (No Matter What and Maison de Lunes), but all the favorites are there!

Christiaan Smith-Kotlarek as Gaston and the cast of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

The original creators of the 1994 Broadway musical came together again to launch the NETworks’ touring production. The show is directed by Rob Roth and choreographed by Matt West, with costume design by Ann Hould-Ward (Tony Award® winner for the Broadway production), lighting design by Natasha Katz, scenic design by Stanley A. Meyer, sound design by John Petrafesa Jr. and music supervision by Michael Kosarin.

My three-year-old daughter attended the show with me - it was her first Starlight production! While she was a little frightened of the wolves and the Beast's roaring, she adored all of Belle's dresses and hasn't stopped talking about them. It was magical to share such a special night with my girl - and we didn't even mind the heat.

Brooke Quintana as Belle and the cast of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

The touring production uses 81 wigs and 580 costume pieces, including some from the original Broadway costumes. Make sure you arrive early at Starlight to go on a tour of the theater - you might get to go backstage and catch a glimpse of all those wigs waiting for their actors and actresses.

The production design lends itself to a storybook feel, with a vine-covered proscenium encircling the cast as they move from Belle's provincial town to the Beast's castle and back again. Be Our Guest was a crowd favorite for sure, with streamers shot out into the audience multiple times. I saw little girls in Belle dresses holding tight to some of those streamers on their way out of the theatre.

The Enchanted Objects of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

Thank you, Starlight, for bringing this wonderful production to Kansas City. This experience with my daughter is one I will never forget. I'm sure she and I will share many more magical evenings at this beautiful theater in the future.

Sam Hartley as the Beast and Brooke Quintana as Belle in Disney's Beauty and the Beast.
Photo by Matthew Murphy.

Tickets for Beauty and the Beast at Starlight Theatre are on sale now for $15-$143+. Tickets are available online at Starlight Theatre, by calling 816.363.STAR (7827) or at the Starlight box office at 4600 Starlight Road, Kansas City, MO 64132. Evening performances begin at 8 p.m. and there is a Saturday morning show at 10:00 a.m.

Thanks to Starlight Theatre for providing my tickets to the show. I received no other compensation and all views expressed are my own. For more information, you can read my Disclosure Policy.

The Coterie Theatre Presents MADAGASCAR: A Musical Adventure - Now through 8/7/16

noreply@blogger.com (Julie @ Director Jewels) — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 06:17:00 +0000

Disclosure: I received press passes to attend this production at The Coterie Theatre. I received no other compensation and all views expressed are my own.

There are a lot of days here in Kansas City when the heat is just too much and we moms have to find something engaging to do with our kids without fear of heatstroke. Last week was so warm, I didn't want to go outside at all. So we spent the week coloring endless pictures, reading books, using our imaginations, and - my favorite - heading to one of our most-loved local spots, Crown Center, for a day of fun.

In addition to hosting amazing free kid-friendly exhibits that change throughout the year, Crown Center is the home of The Coterie Theatre - one of my favorite places in Kansas City! This summer, you'll find that The Coterie has been transformed into a tropical paradise featuring some familiar characters that kids will be delighted to see onstage: Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Gloria the hippo, and Melman the giraffe!

Left to right: Enjoli Gavin (as Gloria), Patrick Beasley (as Alex), Joey Boos (as Melman) and
Donovan Woods (as Marty) Madagascar – A Musical Adventure, featuring, based on the DreamWorks
animation motion picture, with book by Kevin Del Aguila, original music and lyrics by George Noriega
& Joel Someillan, and directed by Jerry Jay Cranford, receiving its world premiere as part of The Coterie’s
Lab for New Family Musicals in its 2015/2016 Season, June 14 – August 7, 2016.
Photo by J. Robert Schraeder and courtesy of The Coterie Theatre.

This world premiere show, Madagascar: A Musical Adventure follows the hilarious antics of these four rambunctious friends on their madcap journey from New York’s Central Park Zoo to the beaches of Madagascar. With ten memorable new songs added to a pop favorite from the original score, their journey goes from the wilderness to just plain wild when they are tracked by Skipper and his always plotting penguins, and then learn to “Move It! Move It!” from King Julian and his loyal lemur subjects. The story is brought vividly to life on stage by imaginative sets, colorful costumes, and a high energy, dance-filled production.

We were able to catch a matinee performance of the show that was filled with children of all ages. Their energy filled the air with anticipation and before the show even began, we were treated to cast members teaching us several dance moves in preparation for the "Move It! Move it!" dance break partway through the show.

The show features excellent pacing and the cast does a fantastic job of keeping their young audience engaged at all times. My kids are three and five years old and while they were a little fidgety, they never asked to leave the show. They were pretty mesmerized by the animal characters and asked questions about the story. My daughter (she's three) did not enjoy the "Foosa" song and hid her face for a minute, as she thought that was a little scary. But otherwise, she loved it - and once I told her that the "Foosas" were just people in costumes, she was okay.

Left to right: Donovan Woods (as Marty) and Patrick Beasley (as Alex) in The Coterie’s summer musical,
Madagascar – A Musical Adventure, based on the DreamWorks animation motion picture, with book by
Kevin Del Aguila, original music and lyrics by George Noriega & Joel Someillan, and directed by
Jerry Jay Cranford, receiving its world premiere as part of The Coterie’s Lab for New Family Musicals
in its 2015/2016 Season, June 14 – August 7, 2016.
Photo by J. Robert Schraeder and courtesy of The Coterie Theatre.

Standout characters for me were the four primary animals: Marty (Donovan Woods), Alex (Patrick Beasley), Gloria (Enjoli Gavin) and Melman (Joey Boos). Each of these actors displayed personalities that were evident from every corner of the theater. The supporting cast was phenomenal, as well. The songs are catchy and led to much dancing in our seats as we watched the show. The "Move It! Move It!" dance break truly has to be experienced in person - you won't be sorry! It was so much fun. Plus, a big shout out to the writers, directors, or cast members who decided to throw in some references to other popular Broadway shows. I laughed until I cried when Marty the Zebra alluded to a certain recent Tony-winning production. You'll just have to go see it to find out what I'm talking about!

The cast of The Coterie’s summer musical, Madagascar – A Musical Adventure, featuring
Enjoli Gavin (as Gloria), Patrick Beasley (as Alex), Donovan Woods (as Marty) and Joey Boos (as Melman),
based on the DreamWorks animation motion picture, with book by Kevin Del Aguila, original music and
lyrics by George Noriega & Joel Someillan, and directed by Jerry Jay Cranford, receiving its world premiere
as part of The Coterie’s Lab for New Family Musicals in its 2015/2016 Season, June 14 – August 7, 2016.
Photo by J. Robert Schraeder and courtesy of The Coterie Theatre.

Make sure you check out the remaining schedule of special extras that are included with certain performances -

Friday, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, and August 5, 7:00 p.m.: Friday Family Fun Night. Post performance autograph session and photo op with cast members.

Saturday, July 9, 2:00 p.m.: Interpreted performance in American Sign Language.

The cast of The Coterie’s summer musical, Madagascar – A Musical Adventure, featuring Donovan Woods
(as Marty), Patrick Beasley (as Alex), Enjoli Gavin (as Gloria) and Joey Boos (as Melman), based on
the DreamWorks animation motion picture, with book by Kevin Del Aguila, original music and lyrics by
George Noriega & Joel Someillan, and directed by Jerry Jay Cranford, receiving its world premiere as
part of The Coterie’s Lab for New Family Musicals in its 2015/2016 Season, June 14 – August 7, 2016.
Photo by J. Robert Schraeder and courtesy of The Coterie Theatre.

Hats off to the entire crew and creative team for bringing to life a show that so many kids will recognize and enjoy. I am actually not very familiar with the original Dreamworks film, but I still had a grand old time. Get your tickets and head to The Coterie - just make sure you're ready to dance!

The cast of The Coterie’s summer musical, Madagascar – A Musical Adventure, featuring Francisco Javier
Villegas (as King Julian), based on the DreamWorks animation motion picture, with book by
Kevin Del Aguila, original music and lyrics by George Noriega & Joel Someillan, and directed by
Jerry Jay Cranford, receiving its world premiere as part of The Coterie’s Lab for New Family Musicals
in its 2015/2016 Season, June 14 – August 7, 2016.
Photo by J. Robert Schraeder and courtesy of The Coterie Theatre.

If you're in Kansas City, you don't want to miss this outrageously fun show! Madagascar: A Musical Adventure plays now through August 7 at the Coterie. Tickets are available online.

Disclosure: I received press passes to attend this production at The Coterie Theatre. I received no other compensation and all views expressed are my own.

Saving Time with a #DotComDIY with Pennzoil & Walmart

noreply@blogger.com (Julie @ Director Jewels) — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 15:57:00 +0000

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #DotComDIY #CollectiveBias

As parents, most of us are probably drowning in responsibilities - at least to some degree. I never worried about my brain cells before I became a mom, but in the last five years I have spent a lot of time wondering where all my time goes and how I never seem to catch up. And unfortunately, sometimes things slip through the cracks - like, forgetting we're almost out of orange juice while I'm at the grocery store, or neglecting to put the lid on the kids' sandbox before a big storm, or realizing that my car is almost 3,000 miles overdue for an oil change. I don't have to admit that all of these have recently happened, right? Okay, good.

There are so many other things I would rather do than try to keep up with all the errands and to-dos and lists of things in my head. I mean, I want to have free time to paint my nails in whatever variety of pink my three year old picks out for me this week.

I'd love to spend hours every day coloring with crayons and markers in a perfect world of Lisa Frank-inspired rainbows.

If I manage to get the lid back on the sandbox before the sand turns to mush, the kids and I can have a Disney princess beach day where everybody goes sand diving. The giant bulldozer running them over is definitely the five-year-old boy's idea.

And I'm not gonna lie... it's been maybe years since I have read a fictional book all the way through. I would happily trade in all the things that need to be done for the excuse to just sit and read a book from cover to cover in one sitting. That sounds amazing.

While I may not be able to make all of these things happen on a routine basis, I can certainly improve my brain capacity when I am able to purchase the things I need before I even get to the store. Remember what I said up there about orange juice? If I can't remember that, there's no way I'm going to recall that my car needs oil while I'm at the store. Usually these things come to my mind at about midnight, when everyone is asleep and the house is quiet and I can think clearly.

I was super excited this week when I realized that I can actually order Pennzoil motor oil online at Walmart.com. It can be either shipped directly to your house or you can pick it up from your local store. Bonus - right now, a bunch of Pennzoil products are on Rollback right now (for a limited time) at Walmart.com.

A store like Walmart can be busy during the summer months, with so many families out and about running errands together. If I can save time and the effort it takes to get the kids back to the automotive section of a store, I'm all for it! Plus, Pennzoil cleans out the sludge that other oils leave behind...so it's kind of like clearing out mom brain for my car, too.

What's on your to-do list this week? How could ordering basics like motor oil online save you time in the long run?

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. For more information, you can read my Disclosure Policy.

Matilda the Musical at Kansas City Starlight Theatre {Review}

noreply@blogger.com (Julie @ Director Jewels) — Fri, 27 May 2016 12:00:00 +0000

Disclosure: I received press passes to attend this event. No other compensation was received and all opinions expressed are my own.

I'm so excited for summer, because that means another season of exciting Broadway productions at one of my favorite Kansas City theaters - Starlight Theatre! I was able to catch a performance of Matilda the Musical this week at Starlight, and it was simply delightful. Keep reading for more info on the show and to find out how to get tickets.

Matilda is based on the beloved children's book by Roald Dahl - but surprisingly, I have never read it! I also have never seen the movie adaptation, so this was a completely new experience for me.

Mia Sinclair Jenness (Matilda Wormwood) and the Company of Matilda The Musicalnational tour.
Photo by Joan Marcus.

I went in with not a lot of expectations, since I was so unfamiliar with the tale. I was wildly impressed. So, if like me, you have no idea what this story is even about, here's a synopsis:

In a world where most parents believe that their children are precious miracles, Matilda Wormwood’s parents think that she is nothing more than a “lousy little worm.” How wrong they are! Brilliant, brainy, bold and brave, Matilda really is the most special and miraculous kid imaginable.

Bullied mercilessly by her father and her dance-obsessed mother, Matilda still stands up for what she believes is right, even if that means breaking the rules and being “naughty.” Though Matilda is little in a world ruled by adults, she doesn’t let that deter her from exercising her own brandof justice. As she tells us, “You mustn’t let a little thing like little stop you...if it’snot right, you have to put it right!”

Neglected by her greedy, scheming, vulgar parents, Matilda is left to fend for herself, spending her days in the library, hungrily reading everything she can. Here she is drawn into an imaginary world, weaving fantastical tales of her own that keep Mrs. Phelps, the story-loving librarian, on the edge of her seat.

While Matilda yearns to attend school and escape her awful parents, she soon learns that Crunchem Hall Elementary is no better than home. Under the iron fist of Miss Trunchbull, a child-hating, hammer-throwing headmistress, school turns out to be a terrifying place where children are punished by being thrown in the “Chokey,” a dark, narrow cupboard with spikes in the walls and nails sticking up from the floor.

Matilda’s one solace amidst all of this terribleness, besides her books and stories, is her teacher, Miss Honey, who recognizes how truly special and gifted Matilda is. Though Matilda may be little, we soon come to learn that she is far from powerless, and with the help of her schoolmates and Miss Honey’s courageous support, Matilda discovers that she has a remarkable power with which to fight back. Will she be vanquished? It could go either way!

When I Grow Up” –The Company of Matilda The Musical National tour.
Photo by Joan Marcus.

The tour features four young ladies sharing the title role of Matilda and the performer the evening I attended was Savannah Grace Elmer. She captivated the audience with her antics and charm in the song Naughty and held our attention until the very end. The rest of the cast was top-notch and delivered the show with excellent timing. Standout characters for me (besides Matilda) included Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood (Matilda's parents, played by Brandon McGibbon and Darcy Stewart), Lavender (Charlie Kersh), the Doctor (Justin Packard - hilarious and loved his vocals), and Bruce (Ryan Christopher Dever).

The show is appropriate for an audience of all ages, with no content that I found offensive. The kids around me in the audience were a little confused as to why the role of Miss Trunchbull was played by a man (David Abeles), but it was a creative casting choice that was not done in an offensive manner and added some additional comedic perspective to an already funny story.

“Bruce” –Jennifer Blood (Miss Honey), Evan Gray (Bruce), Bryce Ryness (Miss Trunchbull),
Gabby Gutierrez (Matilda Wormwood) and the Company of Matilda The Musicalnational tour.
Photo by Joan Marcus.

The music is catchy and memorable, the supporting characters were hilarious, and the audience was thoroughly entertained all evening. Amidst the hilarity of the zany characters, we grew to love Matilda and her teacher, Miss Honey. There were a few moments I was brought to tears - specifically the song When I Grow Up, which in addition to lovely, thoughtful lyrics, featured an onstage playground with kids swinging out toward the audience (photo above). There aren't words to describe it - the simplicity of kids on a swing presented in such a fashion was majestic and unlike anything I've seen onstage in the past.

Overall, the creativity and heart of the show was just what I needed in a night out - I wish I had time this weekend to see the show again! This may be the don't-miss show of Starlight's 2016 season.

Danny Tieger (Michael Wormwood), Cassie Silva (Mrs. Wormwood) & Quinn Mattfeld (Mr. Wormwood).
Photo by Joan Marcus.

Tickets for Matilda at Starlight Theatre are on sale now for $14 to $142. Tickets are available online at Starlight Theatre, by calling 816.363.STAR (7827) or at the Starlight box office at 4600 Starlight Road, Kansas City, MO 64132. Evening performances begin at 8 p.m.; tomorrow's matinee begins at 2:00 p.m.

Thanks to Starlight Theatre for providing my tickets to the show. I received no other compensation and all views expressed are my own. For more information, you can read my Disclosure Policy.

Rosemary & Panaway Essential Oil Soap

noreply@blogger.com (Julie @ Director Jewels) — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 06:21:00 +0000

I remember making homemade soap in a homeschool activity group when I was a kid. It was so much fun! I have been out of the soap making world for many, many years, but have decided it's time to jump back in. DIY bath and beauty products are easy to make and they're perfect for gifts. Make this Rosemary & Panaway Essential Oil Soap for yourself, then whip up a batch of Coconut Lime Sugar Scrub for a friend. You can do both in one afternoon!

If you're not already using essential oils for wellness in your home, you're missing out! We use Young Living essential oils because of their amazing seed-to-seal promise and have loved seeing the benefits of these oils for the last year.

Rosemary & Panaway Essential Oil Soap

Items Used:

- Melt and Pour Soap (1/4 of the brick)
- Fresh Rosemary, 4 oz.
- 1/4 cup Grapeseed Oil
- 1/4 cup Chia Seed
- 1 cup Oatmeal
- Panaway and Rosemary Young Living Essential Oils

How to make it:

1. Melt soap as directed on the package. You'll know it's melted correctly when it is the same consistency as heavy cream.

2. In a blender, mix the chia seeds, fresh rosemary, and oatmeal until powdered. Add this mixture to melted soap.

3. Add in 15-20 drops of each of the essential oils.

4. Stir and pour into a soap mold.

5. Set aside for about 45 minutes until firm. Once it has hardened, remove from mold, cut into bars, and enjoy! If you're storing multiple bars, use sheets of wax paper between them to minimize sticking.

It's really that easy. This soap smells divine and makes a wonderful gift. Try wrapping it up in a cute paper bag tied up with a ribbon as an end-of-year teacher gift or as part of a Mother's Day basket.

What's your favorite DIY beauty product?

Disney on Ice: 100 Years of Magic {Kansas City Sprint Center Review}

noreply@blogger.com (Julie @ Director Jewels) — Fri, 25 Mar 2016 19:00:00 +0000

Disclosure: I received media passes to this event. No other compensation has been received. All views expressed are my own.

Every year, I count down until it's time for Disney on Ice to return to Kansas City! This year's show, 100 Years of Magic, promised to be a real treat - and it did not disappoint. The kids were beyond excited to see "the Mickey ice skating show" again, as they remembered how much fun they had last year at Passport to Adventure.

Due to traffic in Kansas City, we missed the first few minutes of the show. That was a bummer, but the good news was - everything was still incredibly exciting and no one ended up feeling sad that we were late! Thank goodness for non-stop action.

The first half of the show features Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pinocchio, Nemo (and friends), Beauty and the Beast, Princesses, and Frozen. My kids have talked about Nemo and Crush (who was gigantic and awesome) a lot while remembering their favorite parts of the show.

The Beauty and the Beast segment was incredibly condensed, but I was happy to at least see part of my favorite story featured. After Belle and her prince skated together with the familiar tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme, the rest of the Disney princesses appeared one at a time with their princes for some magical couple skating! Featured in this section were Cinderella, Ariel, Tiana, Jasmine, Snow White, and Rapunzel. My daughter had chosen a Rapunzel dress to wear for the show - so she was pretty excited to see Rapunzel and Flynn out on the ice.

The second half of Act I was a short version of Frozen. This is not my favorite Disney film, but I know that due to its popularity it's a wise choice for a traveling ice show. It was very well done, and some of the special effects had me scratching my head wondering how they were accomplished (and I have worked tech in theatre).

The falling snow was pretty epic and the story moved along quickly. My daughter was a little worried that there might be a giant snow monster on the ice and she was hesitant to watch at times because of this.

After intermission, we were treated to even more stories. I felt that this Disney on Ice show did a great job of covering a lot of famous tales. I preferred this style to some of the other shows we have seen in the past, where only a handful of shows are presented.

Act II featured Aladdin, Mulan, Toy Story, and The Lion King. Each of these scenes was entertaining, but Mulan was probably my favorite.

The kids have been talking about the show endlessly and I know that next year, they'll be thrilled to return to Disney on Ice again! I can't wait to hear which show is coming next!

As if the magic of the whole event was not good enough, at the very very end when the cast had finished skating, Rapunzel and Flynn ended up right in front of us. My daughter is convinced that Rapunzel waved right at her - and this has basically made her life. Thanks, Disney, for making dreams come true once again.

You can purchase Disney on Ice tickets now, plus make sure you are following along on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest info!

Here are all of the remaining show times this weekend:

Friday, March 25th - 3 PM, & 7 PM
Saturday, March 26th - 11 AM, 3 PM, & 7 PM
Sunday, March 27th - 3 PM

Disclosure: Thanks to Feld Entertainment for providing the passes. All opinions expressed are my own. For more information, you can read my Giveaway Policy and my Disclosure Policy.