Radio Disney

I've not posted recently about Radio Disney partly because we've not been able to attend any of the road shows recently (busy summer, shows further away, etc), but don't YOU forget about them. Lots of fun and prizes to be had for all!

I still keep the calendar to date on the right column whenever they add anything to their official calendar or I hear about the road shows on the radio, etc. Check 'em out!

GCal Widget...

Apparently, the Google Calendar widget I installed to make it easier to get to the Google Calendar listing Radio Disney events does not work as expected. I left all of the detail right from the Radio Disney site in the descriptions so that you'd have easy access to it, but unless you are signed in to Google, you can't expand the event to actually see those details. Sorry. I'll leave it on there for those of you that do have a Google account, but keep that in mind. I'll see if I can find an alternative, but you can always look at the RadioDisney site directly as well.

Whew!

The great folks over at Radio Disney caught my post about creating another calendar listing Radio Disney appearances and were kind enough to leave a message saying that they didn't mind a little extra (free) advertising for their Road Crew! Ok, I'm paraphrasing. But they deserve it. Job well done Radio Disney Road Crew!

No need to keep watching my mailbox for a letter from their lawyer. :-)

Quicker access to Radio Disney event calendar!

I just noticed a feature of Google Calendar that I hadn't noticed before -- the ability to embed a calendar in a external site. So... I've added the Radio Disney calendar I created a couple of weeks ago to the right bar of this blog! Easier access, and it works even if you don't use Google Calendar yourself. Hope to see you there!

Radio Disney Detroit Events Calendar

The family and I have been attending the Radio Disney events in our area for less than a year now. Seems like a LOT longer then that. They've become so much a part of our weekend activities. The kids really enjoy them and they're not only FREE, but you win stuff too!

The kids (and my wife and I) often hear about events on the radio itself, but Radio Disney has an events page on their site as well. Unfortunately, it's not been easy for them to keep it updated. We often hear about stuff the day before the event.

I know that I'm diluting the possibility for my kids to win prizes by doing this (and I hope that Radio Disney doesn't mind), but I really think it's a good, fun, free activity that a lot of families would enjoy if they knew about it... So... I created a public Google Calendar that you can check in on and add to your own Google Calendar to see where Radio Disney Detroit will be. I've setup alerts on the official Radio Disney events calendar to let me know when they add new events and I'll add them to this calendar as well.

No guarantees of completeness given the issues stated above, but I'll add things to my calendar as soon as we hear about them. One more source of information to keep you on top of things.

If you're not in the Detroit Area, check out Radio Disney to find a station in your area. If you are in the Detroit area, click on the link below to see where Radio Disney Detroit is gonna be.

Hannah Montana Concert

My daughter (and my wife) had a great time at the concert last night. They both commented on Miley's (aka Hannah) stage presence and energy. The number (and speed) of the outfit changes was also something that amazed them.

My daughter sat with the other Radio Disney winners, most of which we had seen at other D-Tours so they already knew each other. I can't even imagine the decibels that were released that night from the tween screams alone, let alone the concert itself. I picture the movie Monsters where they turned the screams of frightened kids into energy to run their city. Hmmm... Maybe that's something worth looking into -- (c) established by this post if I take it anywhere! :-)

They got a few really good pictures from the concert, but most unfortunately turned out rather blurry. We did get a GREAT one of my daughter with Miley at the Meet-and-Greet. That one will be framed on her wall. She's almost back to normal, but this will definitely be an experience that she talks about for quite a while. She's now seen Corbin Bleu and Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana, the two people she's been most enamoured with, both thanks to Radio Disney.

I can't imagine a 14-year-old with the energy and wits to maintain the schedule that she does. I just hope that she doesn't flame out like so many other young stars have. Her Disney support system while still in place and the experience of her father should help.

Back stage too!

We got a call from Radio Disney earlier today to let us know that we'd won the back stage meet-and-greet passes for tonight as well!

They're on the way home right now. Can't wait to see the pix!

SHE WON! SHE WON! SHE WON!

THANKS RADIO DISNEY!

We went to another Radio Disney D-Tour tonight and my daughter won tickets to tomorrow's Hannah Montana concert! She is still freaking out after more than an hour. She keeps wanting me to pinch her to wake her up. "This must be a dream," she keeps saying.

We go for the fun and the exercise and something to do, but the prizes keep the interest up. I think that the interest will be there for quite a while after a win like this!

My wife and daughter will be enjoying the show tomorrow night and I'll take the boys for a guy's night out. We'll probably go see Alvin and the Chipmunks. They are both really looking forward to that.

THANKS RADIO DISNEY! YOU ROCK!

Double Bonus Days!

We take the kids to Home Depot for Free Crafts the first Saturday of every month. They get to hammer, glue, sand and screw together projects. They get a sense for craftsmanship, hard work and attention to detail. They get to feel more comfortable building things with tools. They get to have something to do away from the television. They get something to show for their work. They get a project pin to put on their overflowing "Home Depot Orange" apron. We get time with the kids doing fun projects. We get time away from the house. We get to see the kids progress in their abilities and independence. Home Depot gets to instill brand recognition and project enthusiasm to the kids at a young age that they're count on will bring them back for purchases later in life. Home Depot gets to express an appreciation for their customers and their community. All in all, it's a good thing. This month, it was extra fun!

Each night before bed, we try to talk to the kids about what is in store for the next day. Last Friday night, we mentioned that it was Home Depot Craft day on Saturday. In addition to their excitement, my daughter mentioned that Radio Disney was going to be there as well. BONUS! We've been taking the kids to the Radio Disney D-Tour shows for a year or so now since they came to our market. The high-energy shows are very entertaining and the kids often walk away with free stuff as well (CDs, DVDs, t-shirts, posters, etc). With all of the hype over the Hannah Montana concerts going on again (she announced a second show in our area a little bit ago), they were looking forward to having another chance to win tickets. With about 50 or less kids at the shows we've been to, the odds are pretty good -- even better when we take all three kids and triple our chances!

This time, the D-Tour had a balloon artist, an animal clown and face painting in addition to their normal show, AND the kids craft. By now my kids all know the Disney cast members at the show and greet them as soon as we get there. Each of the kids loves to participate in the show (though to differing degrees) and has a great time. We didn't win Hannah tickets that time, but we went to another show on Sunday...then Monday. Still no tickets :-( But tomorrow's another day. Literally. The last chance to win tickets from Radio Disney's Local D-Tour before Friday's show. Cross your fingers...

You have to believe it to see it

A co-worker of mine has this as his tag line on his IM client. He's had it there for a couple of months now. I remember then I first saw it I thought he had mistyped the more popular quote "You have to see it to believe it." After seeing it a couple of times, it clicked and I thought it was a cool quote.

I didn't give it more thought until tonight. Last time Radio Disney held one of their D-Tours, my daughter, as is the norm of late, won a bunch of Disney stuff -- a DVD, CD, folder, long sleeved T-shirt -- and tickets to see Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. We took the kids to see it tonight in a preview showing before tomorrow's release. I thought it was pretty good. The kids liked it too. My youngest son said it was "really, really, really funny Dad."

The movie is about a magical toy store that is passed down from Mr. Magorium (Dustin Hoffman) to his Store Manager. Without giving too much away, the Store Manager (played by Natalie Portman of Star Wars fame and more) isn't sure that she's ready to handle the magical store all by herself. Somewhere in the middle of her soul searching, I saw that phrase flashed again..."You have to believe it to see it." When I saw it this time, in the context of the movie, it really hit home more quickly.

You have to believe it to see it. It reminds me of a lot of other success-building phrases like "Picture what you want and then grab it," and all of the "other visualize success" sayings. "If you think you're a winner you will be." "If you think that you can't, then you can't."

In this movie, the magic was right there all the time, but the Store Manager didn't believe that she had the magic too. She thought that the magic was all Mr. Magorium's. It wasn't until a block of wood (with a little help from a friend) showed her that she really did believe and suddenly she could see the magic herself -- from herself!

So often we forget that we're in charge of our destiny. We see someone else succeeding, in business, in life, in love, and just stare. I'll never be like that. I'm not capable of attaining that level of success. They're so lucky. But, by believing, by visualizing, by acting like we are in charge, we will be in charge. You have to believe it to see it.

What are you waiting to believe in?

My son the Songmeister

OK, so maybe we watch and listen to a little too much Disney Channel. After getting my 4-year-old son a cup of juice this morning I apparently put things back in the fridge in the wrong order. He was quick to correct me saying that the orange juice should go in back and the apple sauce in front. I apologized for this lack of discipline and he said, "That's OK Dad. Everyone makes mistakes." Then almost in the same rhythm, realized that he had started something and continued in song with "Everybody has those days. Everybody makes mistakes. Everybody has those days."

He's often thrown Hannah Montana, Mylie Cyrus, High School Musical (1 and 2), Backyardigans, Go, Diego, Go and other lyrics back at the rest of the family -- in context. It's great to know that he's paying attention (see: Life Lessons...), has s good memory, likes to sing and in general is having fun with it. He often gets the rest of us laughing so he gets a positive response from it. We usually lose it completely when he adds dance moves :-)

Seeing Stars

I blogged a while ago about the tickets that my daughter won for the Corbin Bleu concert from Radio Disney. Well Thursday night was the concert. She was out her mind with anticipation. She was screaming into her hand, jumping up and down and in general, freaking out like a star-struck teenager (she's not quite there, yet). And Corbin wasn't even on stage yet! My wife had playfully reminded her as we were walking into the theater that she was breathing the same air as Corbin and that just took her frenzy to a whole other level.

At one point, I asked her why she was so excited. She said that this was the first time that she was going to be able to see real stars in person. I gently cradled her head and pointed it toward the sky and said, "every night dear..." She just laughed and uttered some "Dad, you're so weird" quote that I guess I should start getting used to.

Also at the concert was the 12-year-old winner of the first season of America's Got Talent, and a singer from some Nickelodeon show we didn't know (he reminded me of the Monkeys) and then the concert was capped by Aly and AJ, another Disney pair.

We all had a lot of fun!

Life Lessons

A major life lesson was reinforced for my daughter (and us) this past weekend.

Radio Disney was conducting one of their D-Tour shows at a local Ikea store in the area. The local Disney station brings their road show equipment and sets up stage in front of the store and invites kids (and adults) to take part in games to win prizes provided by either Disney or Ikea in this case. My daughter and youngest son both participated in a little lip-synch activity for a chance to win a $100 Ikea gift card. My daughter also was picked to participate in three other events (a hula hoop contest and a Disney version of hot potato and one more that I can't remember). My daughter is always excited at events like this, but we've raised her right and she recognizes that she isn't always going to win and that she should be happy for those that do win. During the events, she took time to cheer on the other contestants and congratulate each of the winners. Not bad for a 9 year old.

Anyway, on the last contest, someone else won and the show was over… Except for the grand prize of the day – a prize basket, including a 5 pack of tickets to see Aly & AJ and Corbin Bleu (very popular Disney artists) in concert locally, and an entry into the national drawing to fly to Chicago and see them as well. We didn't win that prize, but the girl that did win the prize had already won a four pack of tickets for the same concert earlier in one of the contests. She (with a little help from her mom, probably), decided that 9 tickets were too many and that she needed to share. Because of the enthusiasm and support that my daughter had shown during the event, she gave 4 of the tickets to us! My daughter was speechless. She could still scream, but she was speechless. ☺ Should be a great show!

My youngest, for his 5 seconds of lip-synching (and couple of minutes of dancing with his sister), won the Ikea gift card too! "He" opted for a new "big-boy" dresser to go with his room which is being redecorated this fall.

We all had a great time, the kids got some exercise (and sun – it was hot!), and we walked away with some enforcement of a very important life lesson…

Got Kids?

If you've got kids, then you've got to get Radio Disney. Listen on-line or on the AM dial on your radio. Stations in many states.