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Leave a comment Posted on August 24, 2014August 24, 2014 Nostalgia, parenting, Uncategorized

6 Things to Do in Atlanta for the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game (Includes Secret Giveway For World Of Coca-Cola Tickets)

I assume that because I am from Alabama, a decent amount my readers are from there was well, and maybe more specifically, are also Crimson Tide fans. Therefore, I also assume there may be some readers who will be making the trip to Atlanta to watch the Crimson Tide take on the Mountaineers in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game on August 30.

So, courtesy of the World of Coca-Cola, I am able to giveaway 4 tickets to World of Coca-Cola to readers traveling to Atlanta for the game. The tickets are good for a visit the attraction, so one lucky reader can take 3 friends or family members along. (Also, they are valid through the end of this year.)

Here’s what to do to try to win:

Be the first person to go to the Facebook page for Family Friendly Daddy Blog and ask, “Did I just win the World of Coca-Cola tickets for this weekend?”

If you truly are the 1st, I will personally respond to confirm that you are the sole winner of all 4 tickets. (Then I’ll follow up privately to confirm your mailng address to give to World of Coca-Cola to send the tickets.)

Update: It took 48 minutes… then this happened:

Charles Van Dyke

Today at 9:49pm

Did I just win the World of Coca Cola tickets for this weekend?

Like ·

Family Friendly Daddy Blog Yes sir, you did. In fact, you came in like a wrecking ball! You are the sole winner. Send me your mailing address and I’ll have Coca-Cola mail you the tickets in the morning!

Like · Reply · a few seconds ago

So it’s official, Charles Van Dyke is the winner! Thanks for reading and for playing, Charles.

Also, there are a lot of big events going on in Atlanta that weekend – specifically for the Kickoff Game, and otherwise – and you might be interested in checking out this list of the family-friendly things going on if you’re in town for the game. Included below is World of Coca-Cola‘s list of the top 6 things to do in Atlanta the weekend of August 30th, 2014.

6 Things to Do in Atlanta for the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game, Presented By World Of Coca-Cola

1) Fan Days at the World of Coca-Cola are August 26 through September 2. Buy your tickets here and receive $3 off general admission to get a glimpse inside the world’s #1 brand and see what the fizz is all about.

2) As a football fan, how could you not visit the new College Football Hall of Fame? The attraction is going all out for its Grand Opening on August 23. Celebrate the rich history of the game and make memories of your own with historic and contemporary artifacts, interactive multimedia displays, children’s activities and more.

3) For some free fun, grab your fellow fans and hit up Tailgate Town on the West Plaza. How can you resist food sampling, games, giveaways and a BBQ cook-off?

4) If you want to take your tailgating up a notch, purchase tickets for the Bama Bash Team Tailgate at the Georgia World Congress Center. Yes, that’s an air-conditioned tailgate featuring pregame entertainment and a delicious buffet.

5) Refresh yourself with an ice-cold drink and cheer on your favorite team at its Pep Rally when you visit the FanZone presented by Coca-Cola Zero. Don’t miss out on the dozens of interactive games and sponsor attractions.

6) While walking down the Atlanta streets, it’s likely that you’ll find yourself in the middle of a science-fiction scene. That’s because Dragon Con is returning to Atlanta this Labor Day weekend. For some fantastical fun – and lots of Storm Troopers – check out the annual parade.

Leave a comment Posted on August 23, 2014August 23, 2014 parenting, reviews, Storytelling, Uncategorized

Dear Jack: GlowGolf (Real Glow-In-The-Dark Miniature Golf) A Family Friendly Review

3 years, 9 months.

Dear Jack,

Back a couple of months ago for Father’s Day, you (and Mommy) got me a Groupon for GlowGolf. We just now got around to cashing it in this weekend, here at the end of the summer.

Yesterday at school, you mentioned to your teacher Ms. Michelle that we were going golfing over the weekend… for my birthday. Birthday, Father’s Day… same difference.

She helped you make a birthday card for me. I loved it! I’ll be hanging it up on my wall in my office: “That’s you and me driving a train,” you explained.

Then this morning, you were so excited in anticipation, you celebrated by making a “Christmas tree” out of your basketball hoop and random plastic animals.

I suppose when you’re 3, it’s easy to confuse Christmas, Father’s Day, and my birthday.

While GlowGolf locations can be found all across America, the one closest to us was just down the road in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

I knew it would be fun, simply because it would involve our family and something we’ve never done before.

And sure enough, we totally had a blast!

You’re just 3 months away from turning 4, but you are definitely old enough to appreciate and enjoy it.

Granted, you aren’t old enough to play by the rules. In other words, we didn’t bother to actually take score.

In fact, you helped Mommy and me by scooting the ball in the hole anytime we got close to the hall.

How thoughtful!

At this particular GlowGolf, there are 18 different holes and you can play them up to 3 times. I was impressed by the glow-in-the-dark artwork surrounding us.

Also, note to self: Next time we go, make sure to stand right under the black light each time you take a picture. Even though the light is “black,” it makes for clearer pictures!

Yes, we will definitely be going back. Not simply because it was the perfect way to spend a rainy Saturday afternoon, and because it’s really cheap ($8 for adults, kids age 5 and less only $3), but because Mommy won a free ticket for next time!

The final hole is a Plinko-like toss-up where it’s fairly easy, yet random, to get a hole-in-one. But if you do, as Mommy did, you win a free game!

I just happened to catch a shot of her making the winning putt!

Thanks for my Father’s Day/birthday/Christmas gift. I had a really fun time with you and Mommy. That’s the best kind of gift you can give me anyway.

Love,

Daddy

3 Comments Posted on August 18, 2014 Uncategorized

The All New 2015 Cadillac Escalade: Family Friendly Review

Last week for my wife’s birthday, I sent in a special request to review “something special” as one of my gifts to her.

I was sent the all new 2015 Cadillac Escalade!

So in addition to the flowers (hydrangeas, my wife’s favorite kind), licorice, perfume, a subscription to Do It Yourself magazine, and a private family birthday featuring vegan cake and cupcakes purchased from Whole Foods so my wife didn’t have to make them herself like she normally does…

As well as a special homemade “birthday card” from our son, which was a rainbow colored page from a Batman coloring book in which he appropriately entitled “Beautiful Batman”…

We had the privilege of driving the ever-impressive Cadillac Escalade around Nashville for the week.

After driving it to work, she texted me, “I really like my birthday ride! I feel like I am in Beverly Hills!”

Needless to say, the Escalade was a hit. Not to mention, my son and I loved it too!

I was really surprised with the visibility in it. I had no issues whatsover seeing out of it. It actually had some of the best visibility for medium to full-size SUVs I have driven.

As if I needed to say it, driving the 2015 Escalade means you get to be king of the road. You feel the power: A V-8 with 420 horsepower, to be exact.

And as you can see from the Arlington Assembly “built with pride” sticker, the 2015 Escalade is made right here in ‘Murica!

Excuse me… I mean, America.

Granted, this thing is huge. It commands all other cars on the road. Therefore, there is a feature which causes the driver’s seat to vibrate any time you cross over the painted lines of the road; because as wide as the Escalade is, it’s not difficult to do so.

Another really cool feature about the 2015 is how easily the seats fold down. You just press the button!

Also, check out this other cool feature that I accidentally discovered: The face of the audio system has a hidden storage compartment. Who would have thought?

Nice wheels, right?

The price of the model I drove was $79,290.00. So if that works for your budget, and you like being large in charge, with plenty of class and style, I assure you that you will not be let down with the 2015 Cadillac Escalade.

This is the fourth generation Escalade; the first being introduced in 1999; the year I graduated high school.

It just so happens that one of the first Hot Wheels cars my son ever got was a 2007 Escalade; which he proudly displays along the real 2015 version.

Well, I have to turn in the Escalade in the morning. I will say that even though it averages 16 miles a gallon (14 city, 21 highway), I’ve just now cracked the halfway mark on the fuel gauge.

Granted, it holds 26 gallons. Still, if you’re in the market for a Cadillac, I assume the price tag and the MPG aren’t going to hold you back.

You get what you pay for, and the moment I stepped inside, I felt like I was sitting in an $80,000 vehicle; if not $100,000.

That’s it for this week’s family friendly car review. I hope you’ve enjoyed it. I know I have!

I wonder which vehicle I’ll review next?

Leave a comment Posted on August 18, 2014 car reviews, reviews, Uncategorized

How To Turn Off/On AC, Change Radio Station, & Sync Phone On New Luxury Vehicles

I should start off by saying that I am not a very high-tech kind of guy…

The proof? I don’t own a smart phone. I have never used Instagram. I have to wait until I get home from work each day before I can check my personal email and social media; including this blog.

So it would make sense why when reviewing the all new 2015 Cadillac Escalade I might have trouble turning off and on the air conditioner, changing the radio station, and syncing up my phone.

(I’ve had the same issues while reviewing many Lexus vehicles in the past 9 months.)

But with a quick call to OnStar, as well as a little bit of YouTube research, I was able to learn “the tricks.”

Sure, it’s extremely simple and quick once you know how to do it; but until you do, you’re lost. (You are lost, if you’re me, at least.)

It all begins with you pressing the Home button.

From there, you can navigate through several options, including Climate, Audio, and Phone.

First let’s talk about how to turn off and on the AC:

Click home, click climate, then press off or on the AC button.

Old-fashioned guys like me (I’m saying that ironically because I was born in 1981) are used to an obvious “AC” button sticking out from the dashboard.

Instead, you now have to press 3 buttons to turn off and on the AC.

To scroll the radio station, click Home, click Audio, then place your finger to the left or right arrow to scroll through all the stations; not simply the ones saved in favorites.

Again, an old-fashioned guy like me is used to an obvious knob sticking out that I can turn.

Lastly, to sync your phone up to the vehicle, so that you can easily speak to people through the vehicle’s speakers, go to your phone’s main menu and look for an option that says something like “Setting & Tools.”

From there, look for “Bluetooth Menu.” Choose “Add New Device.”

Next, shift your focus back on your vehicle’s screen. Click on Home, then Phone, then Sync.

From there, you will be easily prompted by the screen. It should only take a few seconds to sync up.

Hopefully that helps. If not, let me know. I’ll try to further help you.

Thanks for reading, and be on the look out for my upcoming review of the all the 2015 Cadillac Escalade!

Leave a comment Posted on August 16, 2014 funny, Nostalgia, parenting, Storytelling, Uncategorized, vegan

Dear Jack: “Camping In” At The End Of The Summer

3 years, 9 months.

Dear Jack,

The theme at your school (KinderCare) this month has been “Discovering Summer: Wilderness 101.” In other words, you’ve been learning about camping.

Friday you and all your friends got to come to school in pajamas and take your naps in sleeping bags. Your teacher Ms. Michelle was telling me how, without being prompted, you “caught a fish” at Lake Nemo and immediately took it over to the “campfire” to cook it.

(Hey, I thought you were a vegetarian? How’d you know how to do that?)

So after seeing how you’ve enjoyed the camping theme so much, Mommy and I decided for our family to “camp in” this weekend…

We started things off with some of Mommy’s vegan french toast (made with fresh orange juice and Ezekiel bread), plus, I juiced you some fresh organic strawberry juice in our juicer as well.

While Mommy and I prepared breakfast, you were busy doing self-directed, campy arts and crafts. That not only included finger painting, but making ghosts out of construction paper.

Mommy cut out the shapes for the ghosts, letting you name the them: Marker, Boo, Circle, and Blue were a few of the names you came up with.

Then you dedided you wanted to write the names on the ghosts yourself.

That’s when I learned how well you can write.

You named one of the ghosts “Fire”. You asked me how to spell it, then correctly wrote it down, letter for letter. I was so amazed! I had no idea you could do that!

With the abundance of ghosts appearing in our camp in, I figured it’s our way of paying tribute to the concept of telling ghost stories around the campfire.

You also drew “shadows” next to a house. I think that was to further the campfire story feel.

We finished off the day with some smores. (Made from the vegan marshmallows I reviewed a few weeks ago.)

Hey, who needs the great outdoors?

We “camped in” and we liked it!

Love,

Daddy

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