Tuesday, April 30, 2013

WHAT WE'RE PLAYING: Oxymoron Of The Week--Solitaire With Friends #PopCap #review #videogames #sponsored


Popcap games like Book Worm, Bejeweled  and Plants vs. Zombies have long been favs of ours.   They add new games frequently and we're super stoked to introduce their latest--Solitaire Blitz!     *I'm a millionaire on line!   Disclosure: Thanks to Popcap games for sending us 1 million in virtual Silver (currency in the Solitaire Blitz realm) and inviting us to experience a new world of solitaire on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. All opinions are our own.
   
Oxymoron Of The Week--Solitaire With Friends:  

You can play alone, as the solitaire name implies, or you can kick it up a notch and compete against others to top the Leaderboard or play with your friends and see their scoresNo contest, a bit of a contest makes the game that much more fun! Clear cards in 60 seconds, meet colorful characters, and uncover rare artwork and priceless antiques. Plus, unlock a raft of new in-game achievements including awards for accuracy, win streaks and high scores.

  Solitaire Blitz™ is now in the Apple App Store for free!
     
This is NOT your grandma's solitaire:    

Our family digs games--classics, card games, board games, video games and skills toys.   The kids (10 & 12) and I tried it out and Solitaire Blitz rocks!   The energy does run out fast if you don't buy more or wait patiently... but since the game itself is free, it's not too much of a pain and a worthy investment if you find yourself playing a lot.   Solitaire Blitz is a fun way to relax and unstress.  The fast paced play keeps your mind sharp and the competitive elements keep it interesting.  

Solitaire Blitz morphs the game of solitaire into a timed thinking game. The object is to attempt to clear all of the cards before time runs out. There are 60 seconds on the clock by default, but you can earn more by clearing cards, or purchase more time with silver coins. Like traditional solitaire, you are presented with card stacks that you need to move around and *clear* by stacking cards on top of each other in order. However, unlike the regular games, you can stack backwards. And the Joker can be used as a wild card.
     
Solitaire Blitz for iOS lets players encounter new social twists to the classic game in a fast-paced race. The better you play, the more treasures you recover. Plus you can earn corns to purchase Boosts for the game. Set in the ocean, you will dive into uncharted waters to recover treasures including rare artwork and priceless antiques. Claiming these treasures after a game might rack up anywhere from 5 to 5000 silver coins.
 
 
Game Features:    

•    High Speed Meets High Stakes: Clear the decks in just 60 seconds. Score big bonuses for long winning streaks, accuracy and more.     
 •    Amazing Achievements: Unlock a boatload of new in-game achievements, including awards for accuracy, win streaks and high scores.     
•    Fun with Fishy Friends: Get to know Pearl the mermaid, Otis the worm, Noodles the octopus and many more as they provide tips, tricks and score multipliers!     
•    A Trove of Treasures: Collect treasures, hunt for rare trinkets and earn coins to purchase boosts that supercharge your game.     
•    Fun, Social and Competitive: Connect to Facebook to compete with friends and battle it out for leaderboard supremacy!  

**Click here for your FREE Solitaire Blitz Download for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch in the App Store or play on Facebook**

 *Disclosure: Thanks to Popcap games for sponsoring this post. All opinions are our own.  
 

Sunday, April 28, 2013

ACT OUT CLOSING: CircEAU Spring Circus Shows Today at 1pm & 4pm #circesteem #circus arts

 
CircEAU Atlantis 11am Sat 4-20-13 (Full set) by Bonnie Kenaz-Mara for ChiILMama.com

   
Final 2 shows are TODAY, Sunday 4/28 at 1pm & 4pm.   Don't miss this rockin' all ages, water themed circus arts show.   Last weekend's 3 Atlantis shows SOLD OUT.   This weekend the show is Bermuda Triangle and it showcases more of the advanced classes and the talented circus team.
 
"Wacky" water adventures infuse both CircEAU shows, Atlantis and Bermuda Triangle!


All ages will enjoy the flippin' fantastic acts!

Ever seen unicycle jump rope?! 
  
 
We've been part of the CircEsteem family for close to 3 years now and highly recommend their shows and their classes.  These guys are the real deal... a genuinely great non profit, talented teachers, and creative, motivated kids. 

   


Click here for more info about their fabulous circus arts SUMMER CAMP, BIRTHDAY PARTIES and the next session of classes starting up.  

 Giant fun with CircEAU Atlantis on 4-20!
 Highly recommended.
 
CircEsteem used to take 7 year olds through high schoolers, with some adult classes as well.   They have recently added circus tots classes for younger kids and they're a HUGE hit.  The first show last Saturday at 11am showcased the littles as penguins and seals and they were TOO cute.
 


CircEsteem is a welcoming, nurturing program for beginning through advanced circus arts.   Aerial arts are the next best thing to flying!


My kids have both taken classes in trapeze and silks and LOVE it. 


Mermaid Sage, Atlantis CircEAU


Sage has also taken Chinese Pole, Lyra (*see her in the middle above as an ariel mermaid!), and Spanish Web.


Here are all the team kids and those they're grooming as future team performers "pre-team prep" including my two.
 
  
Ahoy Maties... Adventures abound whether you're walking the tight rope or walking the plank!!
 

CircEsteems' great for building pyramids and friendships.


These kids can juggle too!


Don't miss The Trash Monster!   If you haven't caught CircEsteem's spring shows yet, GO ALREADY!   If you're overbooked or outta town, check back with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often.   We'll have loads of video recaps from both weekends of the Circ Shows, and more fun stills comin' your way.   But nothing compares to being there.


Thursday, April 25, 2013

Wild Wet World Book Night in Chicago 4-23-13 #WBN13




It was a cold, dark and stormy night in Chi-town and the city looked like a gritty crime novel or film noir.....   In other words, perfect weather to curl up with a great book!   We did our best to make that possible.



Here at ChiIL Mama we dig reading and are excited to share our book love through reviews, blog book giveaways, literacy volunteering, and cool movements like World Book Night.



Du-Jay and ChiIL Mama had a great time passing out 20 free copies of The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho for World Book Night 2013 at Avondale Park & CircEsteem.



Thanks to Book Cellar for being our pick up point and arranging for free shirts for the volunteers.








Worlds collide alert:   The fabulous folk over at Lookingglass Theatre gave a free block of Still Alice tickets to Book Cellar for WBN13 volunteers since Still Alice was one of this years' excellent title selections.   We love it when our friends play well with others.  ChiIL Live Shows caught opening night of Still Alice and highly recommend it!







When we gave out the free WBN books, we were solo at Avondale Park but in good company at CircEsteem.   Other World Book night volunteers were there with another rockin' recommended title to give out.









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