Weekly Moment of Gratitude + New York City + Tony Awards, cc @ConeyIslandFun, @WonderWheelPark, @TheWCS, @LunaParkConeyIs

What I am grateful for:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Time Spent Re-Exploring my City! - I'm super grateful to the Alliance for Coney Island and the Wildlife Conservation Society for inviting us over to Brooklyn to visit the New York Aquarium, Coney Island's Luna Park, and Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park. I will post a full recap of my wonderful experience with pictures very soon! Thankfully post Hurricane Sandy, Coney Island is back and stronger than ever!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Tonys! - This has been an amazing year at the theatre, and I am super excited for tonight's Tony Awards! I am Team Kinky Boots and I hope they come out on top tonight!

I have been keeping my own daily list of things I am grateful for and taking time to acknowledge my blessings daily. A bit of concentrated focus on what you do have, instead of on what you lack or need, can make a huge shift in your life!

What are YOU most grateful for today Butterfly?

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What are you grateful for today? I'd love for you to write in and share what you are grateful for this week. The more you say it, the more you speak it, and the more you live in gratitude, the more you will find reasons to be grateful for, and the more reasons that the universe will send you to be grateful for. So join me on this journey of gratitude and inspiration. And you can post here daily (even though my list will be posted weekly).

Remember, attitude really does determine altitude.

It is OK to *Re-Tweet* the link to this post and You can find me on Twitter here (@Tracy_Iglesias) Twitter love: re*tweet by copying and pasting the following into your update field at Twitter:

OK to RT: @Tracy_Iglesias This Week's 'Moment of Gratitude' and Active Giveaways!  - http://tiny.cc/n4Thx

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Winner Announcements Upcoming!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - As I have had back to back conferences, meetings and events both evenings and weekends for the past two months, I have not had a chance to process the entries for our Got Milk? Giveaway Basket, entries are currently being processed and I hope to announce the two winners very soon and have a fun new giveaway posted this week! Thanks so much for your patience butterflies!

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Gratitude Journal Reco:

For those of you who are interested in keeping a gratitude journal this year, here is my recommendation and where to purchase it (I love that it gives you writing prompts for when you feel stuck on what to say!):

Make this Your Best Day ever, Bless and Be Blessed!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post, all opinions are 100% my own. Journal Recommendation uses an Amazon Affiliate Link. Questions about our Disclosure? Please visit: http://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/p/disclosure-policy.html

There are some animals that REALLY need YOUR Help! - New York Aquarium Devasted by Hurricane Sandy!

While I know a ton of people have taken time to personally text to donate to the Red Cross, and some who donated during the Hurricane Relief Fundraising Televised Concert, I just wanted to post about a New York Landmark that was very hard hit, and desperately needs help! (and yes I am well aware with a Gas Shortage in the City everyone's budgets are already stretched a bit thin!)

All 14 acres of the New York Aquarium were overtaken by surge waters during the storm, creating significant and long-lasting damage throughout the park. Located just off the beach at Coney Island, the 14-acre aquarium was completely overtaken by water. They are working on restoring life support systems and have restored power to two exhibits. Water is still being pumped out of areas that house crucial operating systems.

The primary concern remains the health of the thousands of animals, many of whom will be relocated to other aquariums if power cannot be restored within a safe time-frame. Next comes the long process of repairing and rebuilding.

Mitik, orphaned Walrus Calf being cared for by NY Aquarium Staff during Hurricane Sandy 2012,  @Julie Larsen Maher @WCS

During Hurricane Sandy, 22 dedicated aquarium staff remained on duty throughout the storm (24 hours a day!), working nonstop to protect and care for the animals as the waters rose and the winds battered the coast. This was especially crucial for the safety of Mitik, the orphaned walrus calf who only recently arrived and whose pre-existing health issues require constant attention.

Flood waters engulf the New York Aquarium's Sea Cliffs exhibit. Hurricane Sandy 2012. @Julie Larsen Maher @WCS

That same staff has continued to work around the clock to restore operating systems critical to thousands of animals in the Aquarium's care. They have established temporary life support for the aquatic systems, are pumping flood waters out of basements and mechanical areas, and are working to restore filtration and other life support essential for the exhibit and holding tanks.

PLEASE HELP:

New York and the United States at large are always quick to send aid to others and now we sound the alarm, one of our Major Landmarks (and a fond part of most New Yorkers childhoods, cherished moments with family as well as visitors to our fair city) is in JEOPARDY! Please click HERE to help the animals, no donation is too small!

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FTC Disclosure: I am a Wildlife Conservation Society Blogger Ambassador. However this is NOT a sponsored post, this post is entirely non-compensated and all opinions expressed herein are 100% my own. I am an Avid Animal Lover, and Life Long New Yorker and want to see this cherished landmark get the help it needs!

Things to do with the little ones this weekend: Boo at the Zoo! and Ascarium! Score some fun freebies too!

Boo at the Zoo!

As part of the month long Boo at the Zoo  festivities at New York's famous Bronx Zoo, they are celebrating the 20th anniversary of Goosebumps - Scholastic’s bestselling series by fright-master R.L. Stine. This weekend, October 20th and 21st, the first 1,000 kids aged 14 and under to arrive at the zoo will get a FREE copy of a Goosebumps book from Scholastic. 

Don't forget if you Buy 4 or more tickets you will receive an exclusive, limited-edition Boo at the Zoo Snake Hat Free when you visit during Boo at the Zoo, weekends now through October 28th. Children 12 and under wearing a Halloween costume will receive free general admission with one paid adult general admission! SCORE!

 

Thrills, Chills and Cute Animals too!

New York Aquarium 'Ascarium'

And don't forget to check out the New York Aquarium, also known as the 'Ascarium' for Halloween, Get ready for spooktacular fun at the Aquarium’s annual Halloween Celebration! This season’s Ascarium is a swashbuckling pirate adventure with nautical and pirate-themed activities for aquarium-goers of all ages. You and your little ones can journey through the Haunted Seafari Adventure, experience spooky pirate tales, enjoy sea shanty musical performances and gypsy dancers, and play pirate games of skill. 

Don’t miss the special Halloween 4-D feature, The Curse of Skull Rock, after collecting treats and venturing into the Haunted Seafari!

And don't forget, kids in costume get in for free. Each child (ages 3-12; children under 3 are free) in costume will receive a free child's general admission with the purchase of one full-priced adult general admission ticket. Limit two per family, may not be combined with any other offer.

Both the Zoo and Aquarium will be offering 'Treat Stations' making your visit to each that much sweeter!

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Disclaimer: Ascending Butterfly is participating in a sponsored ambassador program from the Bronx Zoo/NY Aquarium. As a part of this program we have received paid advertising compensation, a premium family membership and merchandise for placement of digital advertisements and specific postings related to programming. However all opinions are 100% my own. And I have been visiting this particular zoo since my childhood!

BOO AT THE ZOO! - Prepare for some family #Halloween themed fun @TheBronxZoo

http://www.bronxzoo.com/

My family loved finding unique ways to keep us all entertained and oftentimes wanted an alternative to throwing a party in the house. Let's face it children's parties especially can get super messy, and who has time for that?

Looking to do something fun with the kiddos this Halloween? Why not try BOO AT THE ZOO? Would you be able to host a party at home that included:

A Creepy Hollows HayRide

A Haunted Mansion

Creature Chats

Hay Maze

Children's Theater

Costume Parade

Magic Shows

Pumpkin Carving

Creepy Crafts Workshops

Treat Stations

Live Music

And oh so cute Animals!

I don't know about you, but I'd rather let the Zoo do all the hard work! Buy 4 or more tickets and receive an exclusive, limited-edition Boo at the Zoo Snake Hat Free when you visit during Boo at the Zoo, weekends now through October 28th. Children 12 and under wearing a Halloween costume will receive free general admission with one paid adult general admission. With loads of free scores and great deals, what's not to love?  It's all Treats and No Tricks this Halloween!

So Butterfly, will it be TRICK or TREAT this year?

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Disclaimer: Ascending Butterfly is participating in a sponsored ambassador program from the Bronx Zoo/NY Aquarium. As a part of this program we have received paid advertising compensation, a premium family membership and merchandise for placement of digital advertisements and specific postings related to programming. However all opinions are 100% my own. And I have been visiting this particular zoo since my childhood!

NYC Summer Fun! My Top 10 list of Family Friendly New York City Things To Do! {Photos}

With a ton of bloggers about to descend upon Manhattan for the BlogHer Conference (where I will be Live Blogging), I know invariably some will be bringing family and many of you extending your stay for a few days to take in all the family friendly sites New York City has to offer!

My Top Ten Family Friendly Fun things to do in New York City include:

1) OK so I'm a bit biased here and will start with the fact that there are three major NYC family friendly landmarks in my 'backyard' - Take in a game at Yankee Stadium. Summer is synonymous with Yankee Games for most New Yorkers and the stadium is just a train ride away no matter where in the city you may find yourself.

2) A little more bias here, and even closer to my home is The Bronx Zoo, check out this link for a major discount on tickets! Yes I am a Wildlife Conservation Society Blogger Brand Ambassador, but I have been visiting the zoo since I was a kid, and the tradition continues today with my nieces and nephews. Our summer isn't complete until we have visited the zoo, there is always something new going on there!

The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York

3) Also near me is the New York Botanical Gardens. The Gardens are as fun and as family friendly as it gets, your prettiest photos are going to come from here!

Central Park, New York City

4) Central Park and the Central Park Zoo - It would be difficult to do the park in one day as there is so much to do and see, but the Central Park Zoo is a must visit with your family.

Coney Island, Brooklyn New York

5) Coney Island - The amusement park and beach are a NYC landmark. This is just plain fun.

Rye Playland, Rye New York

6) Rye Playland - Another New York Amusement Park, it's a bit further out but not difficult to reach.

The New York Aquarium, Brooklyn, New York

7) The New York Aquarium - Another one of my favorite annual summer things to do, it's family friendly and kids love watching the animal feedings!

View of Lady Liberty from Smooth Jazz Cruise, photo used WITH permission

Staten Island Ferry, New York City

8) Statue of Liberty - There are tons of way to see her, but us locals still recommend seeing her from the Staten Island Ferry! I got to see her last year from the Smooth Jazz Cruise and had a fantastic time!

Museum of Natural History, New York City

9) The Museum of Natural History - Not that any of the museums in 'museum mile' should be missed, but this one is hands down the most family fun of all them all.

Empire State Building, New York City

10) Empire State Building - The view of NYC from the Empire State Building is bar none, that's why it's been in numerous movies and tv shows throughout the years. Just please be prepared that there is a security line to contend with and a long ride to the top. Only you know how well your child handles long lines and LOTS of people. and depending on their age, they might not find all that work to get to the top is worth it.

Any bloggers coming in that need additional recos, please feel free to comment here!

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FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored post, I am a Britax Latina Advisory Board Member and Blogger. I am also a Bronx Zoo/Wildlife Conservation Society Blog Ambassador. All opinions are 100% my own.

What's New at the Zoo? Check out this weekend's happenings at the New York Bronx Zoo!

LeVar Burton will be at the Bronx Zoo this weekend for a sneak peek of the new Reading Rainbow app and special book reading! This is a great opportunity to see LeVar and get a sneak peek at the new Reading Rainbow app for the next generation “digital” Reading Rainbow kids. My niece and nephew love Reading Rainbow, and I'm a total  nerdie Star Trek fan, so we may have to all head to the zoo this weekend and catch story time at Asia Plaza in the Bronx Zoo this weekend. It's so super cool to have access to one of the city's better known landmarks practically in my backyard!

I have to admit the role I most associate with Mr. Burton is as Geordi La Forge from the Star Trek: The Next Generation, television series. Although one of his first claims to fame was for his acting in the television mini-series Roots (the role landed him an Emmy). He has also written a book called The Aftermath.

I could definitely go on and on about his achievements throughout his amazing career, but it's his work for Reading Rainbow that will be featured this week at the Reading Rainbow Sneak peek, and if you are looking for something fun AND educational to do with the kiddos this weekend, this would be my pick! LeVar is very personable and has a great rapport with children.

And my digital loving butterflies already know that You can also save 10% when you buy tickets online: http://www.bronxzoo.com/ticket-discount/ 

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Disclaimer: Ascending Butterfly is participating in a sponsored ambassador program from the Bronx Zoo/NY Aquarium. As a part of this program we have received paid advertising compensation, a premium family membership and merchandise for placement of digital advertisements and specific postings related to programming.

Bronx Zoo Animal Tales Extravaganza!

New York City Landmark Bronx Zoo, has a series of fun filled weekends lined up this summer and there is still time to get in on the fun this weekend!

At the Animal Tales Extravaganza, each weekend your family can enjoy entertainment from Broadway's Avenue Q, the family friendly puppet show, Avenue Zoo, march in a fanstastical Rainforest Creature Parade, meet and greets with characters from beloved children's books and shows as well as animal yoga stretches and crafts & activities.

I'm most excited to check out Ferdinand The Bull, it was one of my favorite books when I was a little girl!

And because I love sharing great deals with my butterflies, you can also save 10% when you buy tickets online: http://www.bronxzoo.com/ticket-discount/

Did you check out the Zoo this weekend with your little butterflies?

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Disclaimer: Ascending Butterfly is participating in a sponsored ambassador program from the Bronx Zoo/NY Aquarium. As a part of this program we have received paid advertising compensation, a premium family membership and merchandise for placement of digital advertisements and specific postings related to programming.