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If potty training your tot seems like a daunting chore, why not add a little fun? We all know kiddos reject doing anything that’s not immediately gratifying, hence the reason so many parents resort to bribery. But, what if the gratification came in the form of a catchy little ditty to dance to?
Attention Disney fans. This summer, Main Street USA will light up and twinkle to a familiar tune when Walt Disney World revives the “Main Street Electrical Parade” at the Magic Kingdom as part of Disney’s “Summer Nightastic!” beginning in early June. In addition to familiar faces, the parade features Tinker Bell leading the parade and new energy-saving LED lights.
PLAYGROUND will host a “Family Sweetheart Soirée” at this beautiful Tuscan-style plaza. You’re invited to come out and play with your favorite sweethearts. Spend the day exploring boutiques, eating at Orlando’s best restaurants and enjoying an outdoor kiddie concert around the lake and fountain. It’s your perfect opportunity to get that last-minute Valentine’s Day gift (wink).
Tax season is fast approaching. If you haven’t yet started to think about preparing your taxes yet, you will soon. We all want to make sure we’re taking all of the deductions applicable to us, but we fear the dreaded IRS audit. Since we’re certainly not CPAs, we asked our friends HESS & HESS CPA’s, P.A. to share with us the top five things parents should know about taxes. Here is what they had to say:
Downtown Disney’s newest attraction is hard to miss! Flying high above the Disney landscape floats a yellow and red balloon that can be seen from I-4 and beyond. Tethered to a platform at the water’s edge is a ginormous helium balloon that measures 72 feet in diameter and 105 feet high. Featuring Disney’s flying characters such as Marry Poppins, Peter Pan, TinkerBell and more; the balloon floats nearly 400 feet above onlookers below.
Remember when you were a kid how you were blown away (and let’s admit, a little nervous) when the big guy called you, all the way from the North Pole? If you never figured it out, it was probably a family friend, that loveable uncle or perhaps your dad in a great Santa-disguised voice. (What?!?!) Worry no longer about getting busted with that fake Santa voice parents. Mr. Claus has modernized and is making his calls available to the masses.
You can’t stop Central Floridians from enjoying a white winter. It might not fall naturally, but there are plenty of places to enjoy fun, frozen festivities in the area. Grab your gloves, and let’s defy Mother Nature.
Our elves have been busy on the PLAYGROUND collecting toys all year for you lucky girls and boys. We thought it was time for our inner Santa to come out and spread the joy this holiday season. For all you parents who’ve been nice, (and let’s hope, a little naughty as well), take a peek at our wish list. Using the ultra-tech Random.org, we’ll be giving one lucky winner a prize off our list that’s their heart’s desire Monday - Thursday next week.
We’d love to hear what the parents of Central Florida think. Tell us your thoughts on Santa this season. Is he a welcomed visitor or has he been “outted” in your home? How exactly do you handle the Santa situation in your family?
Are your inquisitive kiddos wondering just how Kris Kringle knows who’s been naughty or nice? We’ve heard some Central Florida parents have invited the Elf on the Shelf to serve as a special spy. Santa has commissioned this elf for a very important assignment: Watch the “Nice-list-hopefuls” during the day and return to the North Pole each night with a full report. Santa then sends the magic Christmas elf back to your house (hence his new location every morning). Sometimes, though, in the wee hours of the night, all sorts of mayhem tends to happen.
BE A WINNER: All visitors who post feedback on a PLAY GUIDE listing (from now until Dec. 15) will be entered into a drawing to win this Early Rider Mini Cycle. Retails for $190.
Take Two. We are so excited that this sweet and upscale puppet theater is back on the scene at the Altamonte Mall. Reserve your tickets now for “The Little Drummer Boy and Other Traditional Carols,” running December 7 - January 3.
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