Private Cody Simpson Concert & peek at Hallmark's #TextBands

Ok if you are keeping score, I think you can safely mark me down for another point or two on the cool mom list this week.  This is good news, because I think my insistance on the kids being super organized before school starts back up has knocked several points off in the days leading up.  And I'd be remiss if I didn't admit to at least you guys that the points really go to Hallmark and Cody Simpson.

My daughter, her friend, one of our sons, and I all attended a private event yesterday evening that has the girls still buzzing (screeching) about it nearly 24 hours later.


The event held at Kirlin’s Hallmark in Wheaton, IL gave us a chance to get a sneak peek at Hallmark's new Text Band brand product for kids.  With a Text Band, kids can let their friends know exactly what’s on their mind without speaking at all. Text Bands allow kids to program and send messages wristband to wristband, with a friendly bump or hand shake.  Entering the message is done with just a couple buttons "scroll through style" a bit like you program your digital alarm clock.  I believe you are allowed about 10 characters, so it pays to be know all the digital slang like "lol", "Ikr", and "sup?"

And as if playing with the new TextBands before the masses get their hands on them wasn't enough fun, we also got to see, hear, meet, touch  ... the one and only teen/ tween pop sensation Cody Simpson!  <insert 11 year old girly screams and bouncing from my daughter and her gal pal here>


Cody performed a few of his songs in an impressive acoustic performance before leading us all in the Text Band pledge which aptly states, "I Promise  to rock my Text Band with pride & express myself with the power of positive."  <insert cute teen boy rocker aussie accent here>


And because I know you all have teens and tweens out there that probably love to hear Cody Simpson too, here's a little snippet of Cody singing to us:

Cody then graciously posed for pictures with the 50 or so kids in attendance including my own, giving each of them an autographed poster.  After our concert and photo op, another 500 Text Band wearing kids who had lined up earlier in the day for the chance, were also allowed to meet Cody.  As an added bonus, after a stop for dinner we arrived home shortly before my son started getting messages from friends saying they saw us with Cody on ABC 7 Chicago news.

Text Bands are available for $14.99 at Hallmark Gold Crown® stores nationwide.

Disclosure:  Much thanks to Hallmark for providing us with this one of a kind opportunity to see Cody Simpson and  with your fun text bands for review.