Category Archives: family fun

Our Love of Broadway

Our Love of Broadway

It’s no secret I’m a little Hamilton-obsessed and it was a dream come true when I went to Chicago with Andy last fall to finally see it! An older gentleman in the theater was sitting right in front of us. We chatted and he wanted to give me some advice on the show, “I hear it’s really fast and you have to pay attention because the lyrics just fly right by.” I’m not sure if he was more surprised when I told him I knew all the lyrics or the fact that our kids did also and were mad we left them home. I promised him I would keep my mouth shut and not give into the temptation to sing-along.

I’ve always enjoyed seeing a Broadway show – picking one here or there to attend each season. But the more I see, the more I love it. And now as the kids are getting older, they are coming along and enjoying it as well. I thought it would be fun to look back at all the shows we have seen over the last couple of years. I found pictures for a majority of them – some better than others. Great times with both friends and family. Scroll all the way down to see what my Top 5 are so far.

There was a rumor going around when Book of Mormon was here. So I gave it a try. We scored awesome last-minute seats by going to the box office a few days in advance and asking for discounted obstructed view seats. They apparently aren’t always available for shows and you had to go ask in person. However, if you hear they are…it’s definitely worth looking into. Our seats were still fantastic and we only missed one tiny thing on the far side of the stage due to where we were located. The show? Hysterical. But I will say a few of the older people around us did not return for Act Two.

Kinky Boots. What a gem. A shoe factory. Drag Queens. How can you not love it? Definitely recommend seeing it if you ever get a chance.

Beauty and the Beast was the perfect Christmas present for the kids from my dad a couple of years ago to see how all three of them would do during a full-length show. So happy they loved it. My aunt was able to join us when my dad couldn’t last minute due to being sick. Major bummer for him because it was a great show!A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder was a fun Moms-Night-Out, but not our favorite show. This also reminds me that you can’t go wrong with any of the restaurants near the Aronoff before or after a show. Our favorites that take reservations are nada and Prime for adult dining.

If you are local and you don’t have tickets, I highly recommend entering the lottery system when they announce it. I’ve been lucky enough to receive discounted tickets multiple times for really good seats. Last year my mom and I enjoyed Something Rotten for her birthday. It was laugh-out-loud funny and I still listen to the whole soundtrack on Amazon Music. In fact it was great car music when we drove to Florida together last summer. We relived every scene and giggled. Just beware the song “The Black Death” if there are children around.

I also won more lottery reduced price tickets for Andy and Stella to see Matilda. It’s always fun when it’s a daddy-daughter date. They enjoyed Bru Burger beforehand which is a great dining option with kids.

I have to say that Wicked just really surprised me. I had heard all of the hype and just thought to myself “How good can it really be?” Well, good enough to want to see it twice in one month. After we saw it with friends, I entered the local lottery to get discounted tickets to see it again with Stella. Absolutely one of our favorites!

This past fall was the first year we bought a season subscription. I won’t lie. We did it mainly because of Hamilton coming next season. We also went ahead and got five tickets because the shows are so family-friendly this year (other than Waitress). Of course, at the first show, Finding Neverland, no one would do the photo booth with me…so a row selfie was all I could get.

The family took me kicking and screaming to A Christmas Story. I tried my best to give my ticket to someone else. Anyone else. But I have to say, I enjoyed it way more than the movie! We headed to Palomino afterwards which is another great kid-friendly restaurant. When you make a reservation, request a table overlooking Fountain Square for the kids to have a view.

Since Waitress was not appropriate for the kids, Andy agreed to give up his ticket for another Moms-Night-Out. The show was enjoyed by all. And the grapefruit margarita at nada is still one of my favorite drinks!

The final shows of our season are School of Rock, The King and I, and Aladdin. They are all new to us, so I’m very excited. My favorites so far?

Well…if I had to list my current Top 5 Favorite Broadway Shows:

  1. Hamilton
  2. Wicked
  3. Book of Mormon
  4. Something Rotten
  5. Kinky Boots or The Lion King – so hard to choose!

What do I want to see next?

  1. Hamilton
  2. Dear Evan Hansen
  3. Hamilton
  4. Come From Away
  5. Hamilton

What’s your favorite Broadway Show?

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Backyard Basketball Addition

Backyard Basketball Addition

This kid loves sports. Baseball, basketball, and soccer are favorites. Most of you know he even has a sports nickname, Hank. So it was no surprise that Hank wanted a bigger basketball hoop. Unfortunately, our driveway was not an option. It’s steep. Our cul-de-sac used to have an awesome hoop, but that’s a story for

Main Event Entertainment – West Chester Location

Main Event Entertainment – West Chester Location

While staying at the hotel for our house remodel, we ran into a lot of Main Event Entertainment staff. We struck up a conversation with Ryan from Texas who told us all about the new location here in West Chester and told us to stop in sometime soon. Today Andy and I had a date

Butler County Donut Trail

Butler County Donut Trail

Our local Visitors Bureau is up to no good. They are not helping with my sugar cravings! They are promoting a Donut Trail throughout our county as a fun tourism activity. You can find all of the information by going to the official Donut Trail website. The main things to understand are that there are

I Love to Eat – More Favorite Food Finds

I Love to Eat – More Favorite Food Finds

You might have seen my post a few months ago listing some current favorite restaurants. Well, since I’m always up for trying something new…here are a few more local places that are going to be added to our normal restaurant rotation. And just like last time, this is a quick overview. If you are curious

Snowman Snowball Shooter Craft

Snowman Snowball Shooter Craft

The Snowman Snowball Shooter is always a popular item at the school holiday parties. I made them a few years ago with Stella’s class and I’m going to make them again this week with Charlotte’s. The supplies are easy to find, the prep work is not too bad, and the kids love every minute of

Cinderella at Ensemble Theater

Cinderella at Ensemble Theater

Still looking for the perfect holiday gift? Give the gift of an experience. Buy tickets to see Cinderella at the Ensemble Theatre downtown in Over the Rhine. You will not regret it. It’s become an annual tradition for us to see a show during Thanksgiving weekend. And it’s always one of our most memorable performances of the

Olde West Chester Christmas Walk

Olde West Chester Christmas Walk

The annual Olde West Chester Christmas Walk is always the second Saturday in November. Yes, it is early in the holiday season (always before Thanksgiving), but it is mainly outdoors and the weather is usually perfect for strolling up and down the street while getting into the holiday spirit. It usually starts around 2:00 and

Bluegrass for Babies Event

Bluegrass for Babies Event

 7th ANNUAL BLUEGRASS FOR BABIES What is Bluegrass for Babies? The family-friendly concert benefiting Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, which runs on Saturday, September 19th from 3-9 PM at Sawyer Point, features music from top bluegrass bands, plenty of family-friendly activities, a variety of vendors, local and organic concessions, and much more. The concert, an official

Old West Festival

It’s that time of year again! As school begins and summer slows down, it’s time to mark your calendars with all of the upcoming fun fall festivities. At the top of our list is the Old West Festival. It’s become a family tradition for us. The kids still love going and can’t wait for it

Summer Bucket List

Summer Bucket List

Yesterday, my kids had a one-hour early release. We had a little extra time after school before swim team practice. And everyone was hyped-up about the idea of summer starting. So I made them have a snack at the table and each kid create a list of things they wanted to do over the summer.