How many times have you seen a handbag or diaper bag that you really like, but you wish it came in more colors? Possibly even different patterns or fabrics? That is exactly what you get from 1154 LILL Studio. They offer 35 items, mostly bags, that you can personalize to your liking with over 100 choices of patterns.

Until you see the website for yourself, you can’t begin to understand how many choices there actually are for personalization. The bag I chose is called Susan and it is a large diaper bag. Not only did I get to choose between 100 different patterns but these are also different weights and weaves as well. So if I wanted a suede look I could choose as such. Then, I was able to decorate 4 areas on the bag. The strap, the exterior base, the exterior top and the exterior trim. There were so many  choices I had to go back to the company and ask for more time because I had so many customized handbags I couldn’t choose. I enjoyed the experience so much I’m actually asking for a Nikki bag for Christmas.

When I’d finally made my decision I placed my order and when the bag arrived I fell in love with it and did a Snoopy happy dance right then and there.  The 1154 LILL Studio Susan bag is super sturdy so I know it will hold up for years to come. Not only do I use the bag as my diaper bag but I also use it as my “personal item” on airplanes. It fits my laptop, some extra clothes, a snack and a book with room to spare. However it isn’t huge and bulky. I liked all the interior pockets, 4 in all, to fit things like diapers and sippy cups while on Mom duty and make up and maps while on vacation. The Susan bag from 1154 LILL Studio does need something with weight inside or else it is too big to carry around. It just didn’t feel right. When I was in New York for a long weekend I carried this bag with my dress shoes everywhere we went so that I could wear flip flops when we walked. That was enough weight for the bag to be comfortable.

I’m not the only one who has fallen head over heels for 1154 LILL Studio Custom Made Handbags. Celebrities like Jennifer Garner and Debra Messing have created their own ERINN Clutch. Both actresses swooned over their bags and I’m sure we’ll be seeing them in out and about pictures in the near future.

I want to shout from the rooftops that I am in love with my 1154 LILL Studio Susan Bag and tell everyone how much fun it is to play around with the website creating bag after bag until you catch just the right look. If I had to mention a negative I will say that I felt the zipper was a bit industrial and rickety for such a nice high end bag. 1154 LILL Studio should probably look into a more dainty, yet still strong, zipper that possibly matches the color of the bag.

Right now one of my lucky readers will win a 1154 LILL Studio Bag. This one has already been created and you can see it below. But I assure you it is gorgeous and really goes with everything. But if you just can’t wait to get your hands on your very own custom made personalized handbag, the Susan is on sale for $156. That is a $40 discount!

To Enter (Worth one mandatory entry):

Visit http://www.1154lill.com/shop.axd/Design+Your+Own+Bag and design your own bag. Choose the bag you think would most suit your day to day life! Come back here and tell me which one it is.

Extra Credit (worth as many entries as mentioned):

1. Follow me via Feedburner by entering your name in the upper left hand box. Be sure to activate your membership and come back and tell me who you are. (Worth 1 entry)

2. Follow both MySentimentExactLee and 1154 LILL Studio on Facebook. Come back here and tell me who you are. (worth 3 entries)

3. Follow both @mysentiment and @1154_LILL Studio on Twitter. Then Tweet “Win A 1154 LILL Studio Susan Handbag from @Mysentiment http://tinyurl.com/32ju4df” you can Tweet this once a day. Be sure to come back the first time and tell me who you are. Then show me the link each time you tweet. (worth 2 entries each time you Tweet)

4. For a whopping 10 extra entries you can design your own bag from start to finish at this link http://www.1154lill.com/shop.axd/Design+Your+Own+Bag pick a bag and then pick each color and fabric. Come back here and tell me what bag you choose and each pattern choice for each option. (worth 10 separate entries)

5. Share this post somewhere on the internet by using the Share button on the left. Facebook and Twitter don’t count as they are already options above. Come back and tell me where you posted and share a link if optional. (worth 5 entries)

This contest is open to US Residents ages 18+ only. Contest will run until Wednesday September 22, 2010 at Midnight EST. Winner has 48 hours to claim their prize.

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Jason is going to private school this year and he has to wear a uniform. Every Friday the children must wear a white polo shirt and their navy blue pants. Of course they are also allowed to wear the white shirt on other days, it is simply a requirement for Friday’s.

Of course the first time Jason wore one of his 2 white shirts he got it really dirty. He got crayon or marker or on it and some strange orange substance all over the back. I’m thinking it was clay from the P.E. area. I was kind of freaking out when I saw this because I figured I would never get the stains out. The shirts are white, but yet they aren’t quite white enough to bleach. So I have to rely on my washing machine.

Lucky for me I have a Frigidaire Affinity Washer which utilizes the Advanced Rinse Technology. The Advanced Rinse Technology means that the final rinse is with clean water, ensuring the white shirts come out as white as they can possibly be. My old washer, which was wonderful for most things, would leave my whites a bit dingy and that was because the final rinse wasn’t with fresh water.

Now my son always looks bright and shiny in his crisp white polo and I look like SuperMom. Dirt and stains, you are no match for SuperMom and her Frigidaire Affinity Washing Machine! Bring it on!

*I wrote this review while participating in a Test Drive Campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Frigidaire and received a Frigidaire Washer/Dryer set to facilitate my review.

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Hi. My name is Lee and I have a confession to make. I’m a complete and total psychopath when I’m cooking. I get so overwhelmed, because I’m not used to cooking intricate recipes, that I just get stressed out really easy. After the second day of cooking on Weight Watchers (by the way, I’m on Weight Watchers and doing really well so far) I made a rule that both children and both dogs must go upstairs while I cook. They all wanted to be under my feet and I was so scared I would poor boiling water on them or something awful that I was screaming at them like a lunatic. I’ve got ingredients all over the kitchen and there are flour puffs in the air and I am nearly in tears. Then my husband comes home and the look on his face is horrific. I’ve managed to use every single dish in the house and all the cabinets are open. He tries to take over which only makes me more upset. It’s bad news.

I’m hoping as I get better at cooking things will change. Until then my family knows the drill. The children run upstairs at 5:00 PM and the dogs go outside. Jason turns up the TV a bit louder than usual to drown out my screams. And then at 6:00 PM everyone comes back downstairs and we eat a nice family dinner.

Then, at 7:00 PM the rest of us go upstairs and turn up the TV a bit louder than usual to drown out the screams of my husband cleaning up after me.

It’s a vicious cycle ya’ll.

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The Cat is Back!  Which Cat you ask, the Cat in the Hat of course!

Random House and PBS KIDS have joined forces to support science learning for preschoolers with the nationwide premiere of The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That this Monday, September 6th.  The Cat, voiced by award winning actor Martin Short, will be embarking on awesome fun-filled learning adventures with Sally and Nick when they pose a question such “Where does honey come from”.  Of course there will also be a little help from the Fish and don’t forget Thing 1 and Thing 2. Their adventures are filled with classic Seuss silliness that will engage preschooler’s natural curiosity to learn about the world around them.

I am a huge fan of PBS Kids both programming and website content and also Dr. Seuss so I was excited when we were given a preview DVD of The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That.  My newly 5 and 7 year old stayed quiet the entire time which is a huge accomplishment.  I was really impressed with how they broke down the facts in a really easy to understand format for kids and still kept it fun.  I made sure to ask questions after the show such as what is the secret ingredient to honey and my sweet little Pre K boy knew the answer, Nectar.

Our family has always been really science oriented, so this is right up our ally.  But unfortunately not all families embrace the love of science like we do.  In fact, did you know that science is the subject that preschoolers are the least prepared for when they enter kindergarten and first grade.  That is unfortunate.  Science is, in my opinion, the most fun subject.

We are very lucky that Random House and PBS KIDS reacted to these statistics by consulting with early childhood education and science experts in creating the curriculum for the first 40 episodes of the show.  They have also created an activity filled website to supplement the series at www.PBSKIDS.org.   After your kids explore such things as beehives, giant sea worms, and rain forest animals with the Cat, Sally and Nick they can continue their fun with character driven exploration of science concepts at their website.  There are even parent resources at www.PBSPARENTS.org to continue the fun off of the computer.  Random House will also be releasing a full line of series tie-in books.

Be sure to check out The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That this Labor Day weekend.  Your preschooler will love going on adventures with the Cat and having lots of fun learning about the world.  You may even learn something new too.

*This review was written by Erika “Thing 3″ Bodwell. She received a screener of The Cat In The Hat Knows A Lot About That for purpose of review.

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Tonight is the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards! What does it say about me that I am so busy I haven’t taken time to jump on my Entertainment section and chat with you about the nominations. Who are you voting for this year! Let me tell you about a few of my guesses and we’ll see who wins tonight.

Best Actor in a Comedy: I would personally love to see Jim Parsons take this one home. He is my favorite as Sheldon Cooper on The Big Bang Theory. Unfortunately though I think it will go to either Alex Baldwin or Steve Carell. Both of these actors are great but I still think Jim owns the award.

Best Actress in a Comedy: My choice would be Lea Michelle from Glee. I mean come on, she plays the annoying Rachel perfectly as if she were created for the role, or the role were created for her. However Tina Fey will probably bring it home.

Apparently I don’t watch Drama’s anymore because I’m not overly familiar with any of the nominees.

Best Comedy Series: How can I choose when so many great shows have been nominated. Honestly I’d be happy if any show other than Nurse Jackie or 30 Rock took it home. But I also don’t watch those shows so maybe I’m not being fair.

Best Drama Series: For the love of all things holy, please do not let Lost take home this award. Really. I’m serious. I vote for True Blood. Not sure on this one who will really win.

As usual so many great shows and actors were left out. Criminal Minds is a ratings miracle and yet it never gets a nod. My favorite Comedies like Psych and Chuck are far better than some that they chose above but those do not get nods either. It really makes me sad.

I’ll catch up with everyone tonight at 8PM EST to talk about the dresses, the speeches, the winners and even the losers! Can’t wait.

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I love to travel, but one of my favorite things about traveling is the accommodations where I stay. For some people it is the food or the entertainment, but not for me. I love hotels and everything they have to offer. When I was told that the Dollywood Cabin Rentals were overbooked because of how wonderful they are, but instead I’d be staying at RiverStone Resort and Spa I was eager to get on the road and into my 2 bedroom 2 bathroom condo.

When we arrived I immediately noticed the beautiful golf course. I don’t golf but I could tell that this was a really nice course. The entire grounds were beautiful with trees and streams and rocks, breathtaking. I can’t imagine how gorgeous it would be in the fall with the changing leaves or the winter with the snow. I simply do not get out enough in the Orlando area apparently.

The staff was so nice and really happy to assist me. I had a spa appointment nearly as soon as we arrived so I sent my family on down to the room and decided to just sit down and veg out in the spa. The spa had this really neat fountain that looked like a big painting and really helped me relax after a long drive with loud children.

When Kelly Marie came to get me I was ready to relax even more. She led me to a treatment room that had my own bathroom and shower and 2 massage tables in case you wanted to have a couples massage. I was there for the Blueberry Bliss Slimming Treatment and I laughed when I walked in and there was actually a bowl of pie filling style blueberries on the counter. I accused Kelly Marie of simply running to the nearest grocery story and spending $1.99 on the treatment and she immediately “got me”. We cliqued which made the experience that much more fun.

The treatment was wonderful. I love body wraps, they are my favorite treatment to experience at a spa. Now, I’m not sure it slimmed me up at all, but I have to assume that those claims are more based on a skinny girl with one little cottage cheese mark on her butt that ends up just being a crease from her size 2 shorts. But even so, the Blueberry Bliss Slimming Treatment made my skin softer and I smelled great. The mini massage aspect is to die for. Kelly Marie has magic hands so be sure and request her if you book a service. Locals receive a discount at RiverStone Resort and Spa so call and ask about that too.

When I arrived back at the condo I was highly impressed with what I saw. The condo was decorated to perfection and immaculate as well.  “This place is huge!”, is one of the first things I said to Tim who had already begun unpacking. No worries about making room for every one’s belongings because in the RiverStone Resort condos, it’s just like being at home. Meaning plenty of drawers and closet space. The master bathroom also has a large 2 sink vanity and a jacuzzi tub and separate shower.

The perks of staying in a condo instead of a hotel are pretty simple. You get a washing machine to do your laundry, which means you can pack less things and you have a full kitchen so you can cook if you so choose. We did not cook because we were simply too busy, but we did have cereal in the morning in our room. There were two porches to sit and enjoy our breakfast. In the front of the condo is a screened in porch but with little view, and the back porch has a gorgeous view but no screen. Luckily there weren’t a ton of bugs at the time we visited. There were lightning bugs or fireflies which was fun for the kids since we don’t have them in Orlando.

The amenities at The RiverStone Resort and Spa are unrivaled. Two words. Lazy River. Yep, there is a lazy river at the hotel. It even has a water fall pouring into it. I could have spent hours in the lazy river alone. There is also an indoor swimming pool with a kiddie pool and a hot tub. A word of caution, the floor is super slippery. I had to walk very carefully and saw more than one adult fall down, not to mention the kids literally just flinging themselves all over the place. I mentioned this to the manager and he said they have put down grit but it must need more. Hopefully he’ll take my advice because that was just dangerous. You can also go fishing or walk along the Pigeon River.

If you aren’t a fan of the water options there is also a nice arcade where the kids and even the adults can play videos games. If I allowed my kids to have free roam of this arcade I’d be poor in less than an hour. Jason loves video games so much and it was hard to pull him away. My husband and nephew wanted to play pool every night so obviously it’s for big kids too.  The RiverStone Resort also has a really nice playground for the kids. It was a bit hot when we were there so the kids only played on it the first day but it is a lot of fun and there are benches for parents to sit and relax. I mentioned the golf course which is called the Gatlinburg Golf and Country Club. It is a challenging course and they have Gatlinburg Golf and Country Club packages if you are interested. Finally for adults there is a fitness center with some really fancy looking equipment. I didn’t use it but I have friends who swear that they work out every day of their vacation no matter where they go. That is just crazy talk as far as I’m concerned, but to each their own.

The RiverStone Resort and Spa was just the perfect place to stay with kids but it would be equally as perfect for a couple or a family reunion. It’s just that special. I plan to visit again as soon as I can because I already miss the lazy river.

To Participate In Today’s Extra Credit Entries please visit http://www.riverstoneresort.com/ and have yourself a look see!

Then, go back to the entry page by clicking HERE and tell me the following:

1. Which spa experience would you or someone in your family choose to experience? (worth 3 entries)

2. Which water activity do you think you would most enjoy? (worth 3 entries)

3. Which “dry” activity do you think you would most enjoy? (worth 3 entries)

DO NOT LEAVE ENTRIES HERE!!! Remember you must click HERE to enter!

*This review was written by Lee Allport. We received 4 nights in a 2 bedroom condo in order to provide review. All opinions are obviously my own.

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Dixie Stampede is an arena style dinner show that is actually a good old fashioned ho down.Living in Orlando I’ve experienced many of these types of dinner shows and Dixie Stampede was able to keep me entertained the entire time. I want to preface this entire review by stating that we visited the 8:30 PM show with our children which made it difficult for me to review the show properly. My kids go to bed at this time and they were tired and over it before we even arrived. I really think the show was great and that your whole family would love it, but if you have children be sure to visit at a time when they are not exhausted.

Dixie Stampede started out as a dream for Dolly Parton:

“I wanted to recreate the family fun of my childhood, when we’d gather for a friendly competition and enjoy a more-than-filling meal,” says Dolly Parton. “With the grand entertainment of our horses and performers, along with a delicious meal, Dixie Stampede is the most fun place to eat anywhere.”

When you arrive you get a family picture taken and are escorted into the pre show entertainment area. Inside is a boxing ring type set up is a two man show entitled Mountain Rukus that will keep you singing and laughing. At The Carriage Room Opening Act you can purchase refreshments if you are hungry as well. Be sure to get there early if you want good seats because this room fills up quick! You or your children may even be asked to come up on stage to join in on the fun. Pre show entertainment is always a welcome treat when you have small children who don’t do well “bored”. Also, if you arrive at Dixie Stampede an hour before the show you can walk past the open air stables so that your children can see the horses.

About 10 minutes before the show you can go into the 35,000 sq ft arena and find your seat. As I mentioned above, this is arena style seating and you actually sit in a type of bleachers. Rather quickly your server will come and take your drink order so that they can be sure and have you eating when the show begins. The Dixie Stampede dinner is amazing. I can not say enough good things about it. The soup was so good I wanted to ask for seconds. Luckily you can purchase it in the gift shop, which I did. On the picture to the right you can see all you get for dinner and let me assure you, each and every piece is delicious. However, this is what everyone gets (there is a vegetarian option). My 2 year old and 5 year old did not eat anything but the roll. For a family experience, Dixie Stampede really needs to create a children’s meal. You don’t get utensils so a simple chicken nugget meal with tater tots would suffice. It’s really disappointing when you pay that much for a ticket and your children can’t eat anything. Also, the only beverages available are Pepsi, Tea and Coffee. My little kids don’t drink any of those things. When I asked if they could get water they were able to honor that, but it was quite a production to do so.

Once the Dixie Stampede show starts it’s all you can concentrate on. Good thing the dinner offers doggie bags. The show MC comes out and explains that this will be a good natured duel between the North, on one side of the arena and the South, on the other side of the arena. Throughout the show different competitions take place in order to earn winning ribbons. For example, two women race their horses and you and your family could even be chosen to come down and compete for your side! Little kids got to take part in a rooster race (maybe it was chickens but you see where I’m going with this) where they actually had to run behind the bird to get it to the finish line first! I can’t imagine how excited the parents of those kids were to see them down there!

There are some other great acts as well. They throw in some comedy relief with a “not so smart” country bumpkin who is always getting himself into sticky situations. There is some amazing pageantry too. At one point a gazebo comes down from the ceiling and beautiful Southern Belles with dresses that light up come out to dance and sing. That was one of my favorite parts of the show.

At the end there is a great big showdown to crown the real winning territory. One competition after the other and tons of feet stomping and hand clapping (if you are done eating of course) is had all around. At the end you are welcome to walk down to the arena and take pictures with the stars of the show.

As you leave Dixie Stampede you have the ability to walk through the gift shop. This was a great gift shop. It doesn’t just have Dixie Stampede merchandise, it has tons of horse related merchandise as well. If you or one of your children love horses, this is a can’t miss stop on your trip. They also sell some food that is served during dinner. As mentioned above I purchased the soup and now I’m left wanting more! It is really that good.

As I’d mentioned above, this isn’t the most in depth review because we were busy dealing with very unhappy children the entire show. Also cameras were not allowed so I don’t have many pictures.  In the tradition of honest reviews I wanted to be upfront about that. So be sure and book your tickets to visit Dixie Stampede and see what it is all about. Or, be the lucky winner of this full vacation prize package!

To Participate In Today’s Extra Credit Entries please visit http://dixiestampede.com/pigeonforge.php and have yourself a look see!

Then, go back to the entry page by clicking HERE and tell me the following:

1. What food item at dinner are you most interested in trying (worth 3 separate entries)

2. What aspect of the show are you most excited to see (worth 3 separate entries)

3. Would you root for the North or the South (worth 3 separate entries)

DO NOT LEAVE ENTRIES HERE!!! Remember you must click HERE to enter!

*This review was written by Lee Allport. We received tickets to Dixie Stampede in order to provide review. All opinions are obviously my own.

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For me, all the best stuff happens in the summer time. I love a good outdoor barbecue party, outdoor concerts, tubing down the river, summer vacation; these are all things that make summer fun! Cooling off can be a challenge on a hot summer day. A great way to spend quality time as a family and stay cool in the process is a trip to Dollywoods Splash Country Water Park. Whether you love the zips and curls of a water slide, or the peace and quiet of a lazy river, there is something for everyone in the family to enjoy.

Splash Country located in Pigeon Forge Tennessee, is the sister theme park to Dolly Parton’s Dollywood. The southern hospitality and beautiful scenery around the park invite you in, but it’s the fun that keeps you coming back for more. We started our day taking the long walk down into the park. Splash Country was built inside the Smokey Mountains and sits like a secret down in the valley surrounded by hills. The tall trees seclude you, making you forget that you are spending time at a busy theme park. Once you enter the heart of the park there are plenty of amenities to help you prepare for your time in the sun. Family changing rooms so you don’t have to juggle getting your bathing suit on and keeping your little ones close by. Restrooms with plenty of stalls and lots of space for applying your sunscreen, and just in case you forgot sunscreen, there is a large shop where you can purchase sundries and souvenirs.

One of the best amenities Dollywoods Splash Country Water Park has to offer is their retreats. The older I get the less I care what other people think, however, I’m not exactly a fan of putting on my bathing suit and parading around in public. The private retreat gave our family privacy as well as a place to meet up after separating to go ride our favorite water slides. The retreat included an indoor area complete with a 27” satellite flat screen television, a large table with 6 comfortable chairs and a ceiling fan to keep the area cool. This area was surrounded by a heavy screen to keep the sun and the bugs at bay. Adjacent was an outdoor area with chaise lounge chairs for anyone who wanted to soak in some sun while reading a book. Each is 14 X 21 square feet and fits up to 12 people. They are a little pricey at $150.00 per day, but are so worth it! Each unit has a secure area where you can store your belongings and comes with a phone so you can order lunch or snacks and have an employee of the park bring them directly to you. My father, who has bad knees and is not a big fan of the water, was able to come with us for the day and enjoy himself just staying in the retreat.

A water park would not be worth its title if it was not for the water slides, and Dollywood’s Splash Country does not disappoint. Although I really wish someone would devise a way to get me to the top of the tower without having to climb 10,000 stairs, I was able to experience a couple slides including the Big Bear Plunge family slide. My sister, nephew and I all climbed in the raft and away we went. Two big drops and several high energy turns later we were sliding down a large drop that put us in a wading pool. After we howled with laughter, we made our way out to the bridge that showed us exactly what we had just experienced when the next family came shooting out of the tunnel. Some of the other water slides included the new Slick Rock Racers where you can race each other to the bottom. The Fire Tower Falls features a fall straight down a 70 foot drop and then cruise 140 more feet until you stop. Not for the faint of heart. The Raging River Rapids and the Mountain Twist are big fun for the 36” tall members of the family.

My nephew Spencer always seems to get the short end of the stick when it comes to family outings. He’s 2 years old and typically has to sit out while everyone else has fun. Not at Dollywood’s Splash Country Water Park, where fun awaited Spencer around every corner! Little Creek Falls offered all the water fun a toddler could stand, with a zero entry pool and an abundance of water fountains. This section of the park is made just for your littlest love, no crazy teenagers to get in the way and everything was just his size. For Jason, who’s 5, there was nothing like the Bear Mountain Fire Tower. This multi level attraction is filled with wet fun. Climb around and explore all the water cannons and hoses, then slide to the bottom using a water slide or a sliding pole. When the bell sounds look out below, because a huge bucket dumps 1,000 gallons of water over the structure soaking everything and everyone underneath.

If you’re not a slide enthusiast, no worries, Dollywood’s Splash Country Water Park has a several special places for you too. The Down Bound Float Trip is a 15,000 foot lazy river where you can relax and take in the beauty of the great Smokey Mountains around you. For a little more fun, take a tube and ride the Mountain Waves, a 25,000 square foot wave pool. My favorite place to spend some time was the Cascades. A lagoon surrounded by a rock grotto where you could swim in the 8,000 foot pool or spend time playing with the kids in the geyser area. The pool in the Cascades is deep enough to submerge yourself in and the atmosphere is extremely laid back and calm. The Cascades gave new meaning to the term “cement pond”.

Dollywood’s Splash Country Water Park is peppered with place to find food; you can stop to grab a treat any time throughout your day. My son Jake loves the mini-melts icecream and thought it was quite funny that I asked what the birthday cake flavor tasted like. Jake enjoys any opportunity to make fun of me, did I mention that? He was able to fill up on mini-melts at the Cascades Concessions and sampled several flavors of Icee Drinks at the Mountain Waves Slush Factory. In our retreat we had a menu that included burgers, salads and sub sandwiches. Unfortunately we were not thrilled with the food. It was explained to us that in order to keep everything hot upon transit to our retreat, they have few choices as to where they could bring us food from. The burgers were kind of blah, you may want to stick to the cold meat sandwiches if you opt for the retreat service.

Our family had a great day at Dollywoods Splash Country Water Park. The staff was extremely helpful and pleasant. The rides were fun and the variety of places to spend your time was ample. The park was kept very neat and clean, not once during my time in the park did I get that Cootie feeling you sometimes get when walking barefoot at a water park. People are so busy today, so family vacation time is important. Dollywood gets that and does everything possible for you to really enjoy each other while having a blast!

To Participate In Today’s Extra Credit Entries Please Visit http://www.dollywood.com/splashcountry-q10281-c10036-Explore.aspx and have a look around the website. Then, go back to the entry page by clicking HERE and tell me the following:

1. Which water attraction would you be most excited to try out? (worth 3 separate entries)

2. Which attraction looks fun but would terrify you too much to try? (worth 3 separate entries)

3. Which dining experience would you think sounds tasty? (worth 3 separate entries)

DO NOT LEAVE ENTRIES HERE!!! Remember you must click HERE to enter!

*This review was written by Jackie “quit lollygagging” Pletsch, who I assure you, enjoyed the theme park the most in our family. We recieved tickets to the park in order to provide a full review. All opinions are our own.

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I love to travel and think it’s very important to take time off to “smell the roses” and spend quality time with family and friends. Dolly Parton’s Family Amusement Park, Dollywood, located in the Great Smokey Mountains in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, provides the perfect combination of family time a
nd fun for all ages. The park, which is celebrating its 25 year anniversary this year, is built into the mountain, which makes it one of the most beautiful theme parks I’ve ever experienced. You don’t feel any pressure to hurry there. The trees and landscape provide a tranquil backdrop likened to a family picnic rather than a busy park. Take a 5 mile ride on the Dollywood Express Train powered by a coal fired system engine and experience the beauty of the Smokey Mountains. Because the park is part of the mountain, be sure to get there early and rent your motorized scooter for anyone in the group who may have a hard time managing a day walking up hills.

Our family, like most, consists of a variety of age groups. Besides me and my 16 year old son, Jake, there are Grandpa Bruce, Aunt Lee and Uncle Tim and their two children, Jason who’s 5 and the littlest Spencer who’s 2. Dollywood is the first amusement park I’ve encountered that seems to understand the concept of having fun together as a family rather than getting through the park gate and immediately parting ways. Although there is one area, Country Fair, that houses the majority of the kiddie rides (but has adult rides as well), there are also kiddie rides throughout the rest of the park. When you exited the thrilling Timber Tower; you were just a few steps from Lil’ Loggers Landing which is fun for the little ones in your group. This way the entire family could stick together all day and still get to do everything the park had to offer. In this concept, Dolly Parton and her creative team at Dollywood were really thinking outside the box. It made for a very enjoyable day for everyone.

Unlike the rest of my family, I love a good thrill ride! Shoot me straight into the sky at 100 mph and then let me fall turning and flipping all the way down, I’d come up begging for more. I think most people would be surprised to hear that Dollywood has some of the best thrill rides I’ve ever encountered. The best of the bunch for me was the Mystery Mine Rollercoaster. A 95 degree, 85 foot vertical drop in the dark followed by an upside down corkscrew and a loop, now that gets my blood pumping! Pure adrenaline fun! Plus, with the help of the parks Q2Q ride management system, I got to ride it twice in one day without waiting in line. Some of the parks other fantastic thrill rides and rollercoaster’s include the Tennessee Tornado, Thunderhead and the water ride Daredevil Falls. On the flip side, there are many fun rides for the fainter of heart like the Scrambler and the Lemon Twist. Of course no park would be complete without rides for the tot’s of which Dollywood had great supply. My nephews enjoyed the flying elephants and the Veggie Tales Side Show Spin Rollercoaster, as well as the Lumber Jack Lifts and the Piggy Parade.

How do you make a 16 year old happy about spending time with his family? Through lots of food, that’s how. We began our day at Aunt Granny’s all you can eat buffet, which presents a challenge to a 16 year old boy. We got our money’s worth with the piles of pancakes, sausage patties, bacon, eggs, ham, waffles and homemade biscuits and gravy. They open early for breakfast during the summer “Kids’ Fest” festival so that you can dine with some of your favorite literary characters like Peter Rabbit, Pipi Longstocking as well as Strawberry Shortcake. The service was great and the atmosphere was like being in a southern kitchen. The food was what you expected from a buffet, nothing to get too excited about, but plenty to fill you up. One thing I found odd was they offered a full dessert table at breakfast. For me Jello and eggs aren’t an appetizing mixture. I think they would have more success with a bagel bar or assorted donuts and pastries. They did offer a wide variety of beverages including cappuccino, which was awesome! You could choose from a number of juices, be aware that the large is giant sized.

As you walk through the park there is something cooking around every corner. Funnel cakes and homemade confection candies as well as hot dogs and hamburgers. There was also a great selection of healthy fresh fruits to choose from if you’re looking to steer clear of the extra calories. The two Big Skillet outdoor restaurants called my name all day. They cook smoked sausage and a variety of barbeque on these huge skillets and every time you walk by it’s hard not to stop for a taste.  We ended our day having dinner at the Backstage Restaurant. I wish I could say that our meal was as spectacular as our day, but unfortunately it was disappointing. I had the orange chicken with rice bowl that was dry and reminded me of a frozen entrée. Unfortunately, everyone in the family was less than impressed with their meal. However, that being said, I purchased the famous cinnamon bread in the Mill to take back to our townhome and it was heavenly.

I am from Chicago, which is a Cultural Mecca. It’s hard to impress someone like me who’s from a place where good music is around every corner. Dolly Parton plays an integral creative part of the stage productions and live shows at the park and it shows! A stage show at Dollywood is like an Off- Broadway experience. The theaters are large with very comfortable seating. You can purchase concessions like pop corn and cotton candy for the show and each seat comes equip with a drink holder. Once you’re comfortable, get ready for a great performance by professional singers and dancers who are very talented and comfortable on stage. My personal favorite was the Dreamland Drive-In which was a story of a group of Baby-boomer kids telling a love story through the music of each decade starting with the 50’s and ending in the 80’s. If these kids are considered summer stock, look out Broadway. Dollywoods crowning jewel is a show called Sha-Kon-O-Hey! with music and lyrics written by Dolly Parton herself. Sha-Kon-O-Hey! is the story of the Great Smokey Mountains and it’s settlers. It’s like Dolly’s love letter to her home. This show is very moving and equally as well done.

There is plenty to do at Dollywood if you’re not a ride enthusiast. Scattered throughout the park are outdoor theaters where singing and dancing can be enjoyed throughout the day. If you love Dolly Parton (who doesn’t) you can walk through her tour bus and marvel at several pieces of her stage costumes as well as awards she’s earned through her many years of family entertainment.  The park houses a Bald Eagle and Birds of Prey Avery where they nurse these amazing wild birds back to health, sometimes breed them and eventually release them back into the wild. The Wings of America Theater gives your family the opportunity to get up close and personal with these giant birds and learn all about their way of life. It’s the closest I’ve ever come to a Bald Eagle and gave me a greater understanding as to why they are a symbol for the great United States of America.

Our day at Dolly Parton’s Great Smokey Mountain Family Amusement Park was one I don’t think any of us will soon forget. Our entire family reunited at Dollywood on the first day of our vacation and we got to spend a great deal of time enjoying not only the park, but also each other. It was refreshing to spend the day at a place that’s Christian based priorities emulated throughout the entire park. The staff and setting there do a fine job of making the day about your family and not just about what ride to go on next. I would recommend Dollywood as a great vacation to families everywhere with a great big YEE-HAW!

To Participate In Today’s Extra Credit Entries Please Visit http://www.dollywood.com/dollywood-q10020-c10012-Explore.aspx and have a look around the website. Then, go back to the entry page by clicking HERE and tell me the following:

1. Which ride would you be most excited to try out? (worth 3 separate entries)

2. Which attraction other than the rides would you be excited to try out? (worth 3 separate entries)

3. Which dining experience would you think sounds tasty? (worth 3 separate entries)

DO NOT LEAVE ENTRIES HERE!!! Remember you must click HERE to enter!

*This review was written by Jackie “quit lollygagging” Pletsch, who I assure you, enjoyed the theme park the most in our family. We recieved tickets to the park in order to provide a full review. All opinions are our own.

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Earlier this year my entire family(and by entire I mean myself and husband, both kids, my sister, her son and my father) was invited to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN for the family vacation of a lifetime. Talk about an exciting 4 day trip! We barely had any time to rest because the wonderful people at Dollywood had us going, going, going every day. Our accommodations were provided by the Riverstone Resort and Spa which houses the most luxurious spa getaway in East Tennessee.

We were given tickets to the Dollywood Theme Park one day. My sister Jackie has a full review written up on this park that will be posted this week but I can give you a spoiler and tell you we had a BLAST! The next day was the Splash Country retreat. Again, another review written by Jackie but the spoiler for this day was that we were spoiled! The words “water park” and “luxury” aren’t usually used in the same sentence but you’ll have to come back to find out the reason they were this time! Finally we had Dixie Stampede Dinner Show. Good food and good fun all in one!

We were put up at a luxurious resort called the Riverstone Resort And Spa where we took temporary residence in two separate 2 bedroom condos and enjoyed numerous amenities. I’ll be posting a full review with pictures this week but let me tell you, condo living is the best bet for vacations. There is a lot to be said about having the ability to wake up and have a bowl of cereal at your leisure. Or just having enough living space to separate yourself from your family. All perks of staying at Riverstone Resort and Spa.

As I said above everything we experienced went into a review which will be posted this week. We tried to leave no stone unturned, no detail out, yet keep enough secret that you’ll enjoy the vacation once you arrive!

Oh wait…what’s that I just said about you enjoying this vacation? You heard right! I’ll be giving one lucky reader a 4 night stay in a 3 bedroom condo at The Riverstone Resort and Spa and 4 tickets to Dollywood Theme Park, Splash Country and Dixie Stampede! Now that is a vacation you can’t afford to pass up.

In order to enter you need to follow the directions below. There will be numerous chances to enter so keep your eyes peeled. Each day will bring a new way to get one step closer to The Smokies!

HOW TO LEAVE A COMMENT: In order to leave a comment and enter this giveaway simply scroll down to the bottom of the page where it says LEAVE A COMMENT. Then follow those directions.

To Enter (worth one mandatory entry):

Check out the Dollywood.com website and the Riverstone Resort website. Tell me what you’ll be most excited to experience if you win this vacation. Be specific (answers like” the theme park” will be removed).

Extra Credit (worth the amount of entries announced. Each entry should be separate. Example, if you participate in an extra credit entry worth 5 comments be sure and leave 5 SEPARATE comments):

1. Follow me by email subscription. At the left of my blog, halfway up is a blank space to enter your email. Enter it and click Subscribe, then be sure to activate your subscription. Come back here and tell me who you are by giving me the first half of your email. You don’t need to give me the full address. So, for example if your email is SmokyMountains84@gmail.com all you need to leave is SmokyMountains84. Worth 10 separate entries.

2. Share my event button on your own blog. You can get the code on my right sidebar. Come back and show me the link so I can verify. Worth 10 separate entries.

3. Follow MySentimentExactLee, Riverstone Resort and Dollywood via Facebook. Come back and tell me who you are. Worth 5 separate entries.

4. Follow @mysentiment on Twitter. Come back and tell me who you are. Worth 3 separate entries.

5. Tweet out: “Win a 4 day vacation courtesy of Dollywood and Riverstone Resort from @mysentiment http://mysentimentexactlee.com/?p=1157″ Must have at least 100 followers to Tweet. You can do this once a day. Come back and show me the link. Worth 2 separate entries each time you tweet.

6. Share this contest somewhere on the web by using the share button to the left. Facebook and Twitter are not options since they have been mentioned before. Come back and show me where you linked! Worth 5 separate entries.

7. Every day when a new review is posted there will be extra credit entries added. Please come back every day to find out what they are!

This contest is open to US and Canadian residents ages 18+. Contest will run until Monday September 13, 2010 at Midnight EST. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and has 48 hours to claim their prize as long as they have completed the mandatory entry. Contest has terms and condition which will be laid out by Dollywood and Riverstone Resort but I can tell you Blackout Dates do apply. You will have one full year to use take your vacation before it expires.

*This review was written by Lee. I received this vacation in order to provide review.

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