Texas Renaissance Festival Review

The day came and went far too quickly! It felt as though I had spent forever in preparation, only to have it fly by in an instant. My trip at the Texas Renaissance Festival finally happened!

FYI: Kids go free on Sundays! 

The night before, I downloaded the app. TRF has an app! You can look up where and what food options are available, map out the places you want to go, and even set up a schedule of what you want to see while you are there. I picked our top entertainment choices and set up the schedule. You can even have it alert you when the time for your event has come. I also marked "favorite" shoppes we would want to stop in while we were there. There were some issues finding the places we wanted to be at. Thankfully, they have maps hanging at the bathrooms and plenty of cast members that are willing to give directions.You can also purchase a souvenir guide that will include a map and information on everything they have there. Even after leaving, the app sends traffic alerts for those coming and going. One such alert let you know what other highway to take to avoid long traffic lines. The app also lets you know what events are better geared towards kids. 

Prep before you go!

Then came having everything laid out. I was going to be getting up at 5 AM and waking the kids at 5:20. The plan was to leave by 5:45 to get there in time for the opening ceremony. Talk about being down to the wire! My husband had to work the night before, so we had to plan it all out in minute detail. Which brings me to another part in planning that I didn't consider. If you want a hotel for any of these weekends, don't wait until the week of to book. THEY WERE ALL FULL! So we were definitely driving back home after the event. Which was actually for the best. My husband was going to be too tired for too long a day. If we had gotten a hotel, he would've wanted a nap in the early afternoon and come back for a couple more hours before calling it a day. So it worked out. But, if you were really wanting to stay close or make it a longer trip, book in advanced. WAY advanced! I had the diaper bag packed to the brim. I had waters for everyone in the fridge. Since each person is only allowed to bring in 1 unopened water bottle, I had these in the fridge. I got out our amazing cooler, that I have mentioned before in a review, and threw more waters in the freezer. Plan was to have them in the cooler in the van so that when we went out, they would be waiting and thawed enough to start drinking. I also set out breakfast. We are not big on eating that early in the morning. So I grabbed snacks that will be easy to eat when we are ready. Not the healthiest, but for something like this - worth it. I packed each of the older kids a snack bag. They can share, trade, and snack on the variety I gave them to and from the event. And everything in the bag would be fine in the car while we were inside the TRF. 

We didn't leave right when we planned to. Despite waking the kids earlier than I thought I would, they were slow in getting dressed.

So we left a little after 6. And the drive there was mostly in thick fog.

Soooo we got there about 9:20. Missed the opening and cannon fire. But as you will hear in my interview with someone at the Festival, the fog gives a certain mystery and hypes you up as you come in. The Texas Renaissance Festival has a magical feel about it. You are basically going back in time to a village of the Renaissance. 

After checking in and getting our passes, I did a quick interview with Travis Bryant. This guy gets the word out about an amazing experience you can have at the Texas Renaissance Festival only. It was great meeting him and working with him to make our trip possible. I apologize ahead of time, the video was broken into two.  

Going through the gate, the guys all got kissed by the pirate wench. Lucky for her, my attention was elsewhere... 

Once we parted ways, we checked out our first show - Birds of Prey. This was a wonderfully, engaging show. Educational as well.

They had vultures, hawks, and owls that flew among the guests, did tricks, and showed us what they are really capable of. Our whole family enjoyed the sight.

There were a couple moments when the birds showed who really ruled the roost by not obeying their trainers commands.  
After the show, my kids were crying for food. My little vultures... So we went hunting. Oh the smells! I can't tell you how badly I wanted to order lots of things. They had foods from all over the world. We requested 2 orders of potatoes - these were potato slices, fried to a crisp. Delicious! No one should ever be without their famous turkey legs.

My oldest said he didn't want that, so we compromised. We bought 1 turkey leg and 1 steak on a stick.

It didn't seem like enough, so I told them to endure a little more fun and we would eat again. (It was just soooo good!) 
We went to see the Pirates of the Pride of Bedlam next. Talk about a rockin' good show! We were all enjoying their rowdy tunes.
Even our baby pirate was happy. We had some random pirates hand out gold doubloons to the kiddos and some shoppe owners were giving away free Frankincense and Myrrh. My son got a piece of a bismuth crystal. For those of you who aren't familiar, it is a fragile metal crystal that is grown.
We saw many fascinating characters. My younger son loved this one:

I saw 2 awesome versions of Depp characters.

They had a parade and a version of a haunted house you could walk through. The haunted house was an additional fee. The family-friendly version was a 3D show.

We finished our day with an interview with the Captain and his First Mate of the Pirates of the Pride of Bedlam.

I'm sorry if you are unable to hear much, as it was at a very noisy time in the area. He is very lively, very friendly and offered some great insight to the Texas Renaissance Festival.
We missed the Joust and the fireworks this time. But I do hope that a future trip may afford these wondrous sights as I'm told they are truly magnificent.

Also, both interviews led me to believe that Arsene is someone you positively MUST see at least once while you are there. I hope you got to enjoy the sights through my experience, but that you are planning your own trip in the future. If you are here in Texas, they have many weekends yet. We suggest you plan to bring shopping coinage. The artisans here do a splendid job with handcrafting just about anything your heart could desire. My sons are now proud owners of a hearty double-sided wooden axe. 

What did you find most fascinating?

Ozeri InstaVac Food Storage Set Review

*Disclaimer: I was sent these products for free for review. My opinions are my own and unpaid for.*

I am so happy to write this review! And super excited about the product. Through my US Family Guide association, I was chosen to test out this Ozeri InstaVac Food Storage Set. It comes with 4 containers that each have a lid.

The idea behind these storage containers is that you can release air through a vacuum seal and therefore prolong the life of fresh foods being stored. It prevents bacteria from forming with.

I love how easy to use they were. With just pressure from my fingers, the air was released and it became vacuumed sealed. You can't even open the lid from the sides until you release the valve on top. And you can hear the air coming out or going in to know its done. The other great part is the dial on the top that you set to the day you put the food in. I can't tell you how often I've stored something and forgot how long its been in the fridge... This way, I know! Without stickers on the container or writing. On the bottoms, there is a wave pattern. This keeps things like fruits and vegetables from sitting in their natural juices and getting soggy. 
I also like that they are supposed to be stain-resistant, shatter-proof while also being just as transparent as glass. With kids, glass doesn't last long. It is considered dangerous in our home. So having well-made plastic things is awesome.
I think this would be a great gift too. I mean, its not just food storage. Its also food organization. You can microwave, freeze and throw them in the dishwasher. My video below will show you how to use them. What do you like about something like this?

Planning the Day at Texas Renaissance Festival

If you know me, you know I plan ahead as much as possible. Especially for any convention-type event. I always want to maximize our fun and know what to expect. When you have 4 little ones in tow, you need the extra insight.
My kids are just as excited as I am about dressing as pirates and going to the Texas Renaissance Festival. So far, we have pieced together all but one costume. My oldest son is still in need of a shirt. I'm tweaking and adding as I need to. I'm putting all our costumes together by person and putting them into a centralized location. I want it to be easy to get dressed and head out.
In addition, I'm preparing a list of the things we know we need to do and try. I've had some great suggestions from the folks at TRF. So I checked the events listings and decided on what we would most definitely want to hit. I'm making a list.
First things first - Be there early enough to meet the King and Queen at the front gate when it opens at 9AM. The King and Queen are actually around there at 8:45 to mingle with us common folks. Then they have cannon fire!
I was told the joust was an awesome sight that we must witness. 

I know that we also wanted to see/try to School of Sword, the Executioners (a friend told me they were amazing and fun), Birds of Prey and Cast in Bronze. My husband wants to look for a wooden sword. His family went to a Renaissance Festival when he was a kid and his best memory was of getting a wooden sword. 
 
I look at rules for events. First thing I need to know - can I bring my stroller? Rather not have to carry the 11 month old around (she gets heavy). Good news! Yes, I can. And the paths are hard packed. Another main point to know are where do you park and what (if anything) do you pay. They have free general parking. I'm very happy about that. There are other options like handicapped, motor home, motorcycle, valet, and preferred parking as well. 

Then comes the budget. I know we will have to bring money for food. You can only bring in 1 unopened water bottle per person. I will be able to bring in baby foods for the baby too. Thankfully, they have the lowest and highest prices listed on their website. $2 - $12 and drinks start at $3. 

Foods to try: Turkey Legs, they have 2 new flavors this year:

• Honey Baked Turkey Leg by Renaissance Catering Shoppes #11, #50, #408, #414
• Bourbon Molasses Turkey Leg by Matt Basse at Sherwood Forest Foods, Shoppe #89
  And an empanada from La Fiesta area. 

We also had to decide if we wanted to stay overnight or attempt the drive home. It's a few hours away from where we live. So we will factor in whether my husband works the night before and if we have the energy to make the drive back and unload or if we want to get a hotel room. They do have camp grounds for those of you who have campers.

 

Another thing I'm hoping to do is to interview someone while there. One of the characters. And here is where I'd like YOUR input! What question would you include in your interview? Remember, we are talking pirates here! Leave me a comment below! 

Colortime Crafts and Markers - Glow in the Dark Halloween Tote Review

*Disclaimer: I was sent these products free of charge to write a review. All opinions are my own.* 

Halloween is less than two weeks from now! Where has this year gone?! Right before Halloween, I have my oldest sons 9th, yes, NINE YEARS OLD, birthday! Since it is so close to Halloween, we often use it as an excuse to get dressed up. Anything to wear our costumes! 

My son wanted a Star Wars themed party. We will have it with my husbands family. And then, that weekend is when my mother-in-laws neighborhood was planning a block party. Food, fun and I'm pretty sure there will be candy! Which means that kids will need a bag to collect their haul in. Normally, we use whatever we have around the house for this. However, this year, US Family Guide teamed up with Colortime Crafts and Markers to get the word out on these awesome glow in the dark designed canvas bags and the fabric markers. I think having glow in dark items is best when you are planning for a night time event. And this makes such even cuter. With the added benefit of being a fun activity for the kids to do in preparation.  

The canvas bag alone is great. I love reusable bags. The fact that we got to decorate it as a family, was even better.

We took turns coloring in parts of the design.

They can't wait to see it glowing in the dark. It didn't glow well at first, so I put it in a window to get some sunlight. It showed nicely after that. There is also a paper that came with it, explaining proper care, washing and how to make coloring easier.

Colortime has so many other great products to choose from. If you want something personal to give as a gift, I would suggest checking them out. Click on this Link for the latest online special offers and promo codes to Colortime Crafts and Markers. I would love to hear what you think about their products and what you would find to be the most interesting. So leave me a comment below!