Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts

Friday, December 18, 2015

Mom Fail- Pre - holiday Edition

With the hustle and bustle of the upcoming holiday, plus holiday break, I forgot today was Friday.

Well, not really, because I thought today was Thursday.

Would have sworn to it, last night and this morning.

Until this morning when my daughter said, "What did we get my teacher for Christmas, Mommy? Oh, and I was supposed to bring in a snack for our Polar Express party."

"Okay, love, mommy will figure something out today, and you can bring it to school tomorrow."

*Giggles* "Mommy, tomorrow is Saturday!!"

What?!

Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuugggggggggggggggggggh. I start running through the pinterest ideas that have been shared by all of my overachieving-mom-of one friends, and realize there's no way in high he'll I can even compete and start weighing out the other options my teacher and other friends recommended in a Facebook post from earlier this week.

So, dressed in sweats and a tee shirt (it's the last day to clean before the kids are off for 2 weeks, and I have out of state company coming tomorrow!) I bring her to the bus stop, and as soon as her bus drove away I went and waited at Applebee's for them to open, then went to Dunkin and got munchkins. As I dropped the miscellaneous munchkins off with the office, I prayed that they actually made it to my daughter's class.. As I buckled my little guy back into his car seat, he reached up and grabbed my head band off of my head.

As I watched the two snowmen on springs waggle in my son's grasp, I can only hope that this is what she remembers, not the grinch mama who almost forgot 4th grade Christmas.




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Sunday, November 8, 2015

B1G1 Free Starbucks! 11/12-11/15 (Plus giveaway!)



Mmmmmm.... coffee!!!! Starbucks fans unite, and go for coffee November 12 - 15th from 2-5pm. My favorite is Peppermint Mocha, what's yours?

**GIVEAWAY** Share a cup o' joe on me!

Comment below for your chance to win a $5 Starbucks gift card, or $5 paypal deposit! Open to residents of the US, ends 12:00 pm EST on 11/14!

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Holiday Fun at the Tampa Theater


I cannot believe it's November. It was just July and people were whining that it was too hot, and those who lived in the North-east were promising that they wouldn't complain about the heat, because of the crazy winter last season. In just a blink, it will be Christmas.

We usually head home (to NY) for Thanksgiving, although, this year, we are not going. We were thinking about heading up around Christmas/New Years, but I don't know if that's going to work, either. I am excited that I'll get to go Black Friday shopping with my girlfriends this year, though!!

I may try to do something fun with the kids, like take them to the Tampa Theater for one of their Classic Holiday shows. Not only do you get to enjoy one of your favorite movies, guests get to enjoy singing along to Christmas carols with the Mighty Wurlitzer Theater organ, and even a visit from Santa before the show!! My kids would have so much fun with that!!!

If you're in the Tampa area, be sure to check out these showtimes and visit www.TampaTheater.org for more details!!




MIRACLE ON 34th STREET (1947)
3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29

 

Macy's executive Doris Walker (Maureen O'Hara) hires a kindly old man (Edmund Gwenn) to play Santa in the department store’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, but he claims to be the real Kris Kringle. His incredible claims convince both Doris’ daughter Susan (Natalie Wood) and a young lawyer (John Payne), who decides to defend Kringle in court when he is institutionalized as insane. 
1h 36m/Not Rated/Family Drama

 
Before the film, Santa himself will be in the lobby for family photos starting at 2 p.m., and he’ll share a special story from the stage immediately before the film at 3 p.m.

 
HOLIDAY INN (1942)

3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6

 

Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire play successful song-and-dance men Jim Hardy and Ted Hanover. They are best friends, but they have a tendency to fall for the same women. When dancer Lila Dixon (Virginia Dale) leaves Jim for Ted, Jim leaves Broadway to pursue his dream of running a little hotel that only opens on national holidays. He hires Linda Mason (Marjorie Reynolds) to perform there, and before long, the old friends are competing again, this time for the lovely Linda’s affections. 
1h 40m /Not Rated/Musical Comedy

 

 

WHITE CHRISTMAS (1954)

3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13

 

Army buddies Bob Wallace (Bing Crosby) and Phil Davis (Danny Kaye) team up to become a top song-and-dance act after the war. Davis plays matchmaker and introduces Wallace to a pair of beautiful sisters, Betty and Judy (Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen), who also have a musical act. When Betty and Judy travel to a Vermont lodge to perform a Christmas show, Wallace and Davis follow, only to find their former commander, General Waverly (Dean Jagger), is the lodge owner. A series of romantic mix-ups ensue as the performers try to help the General. 
2h /Not Rated/Musical Comedy

 

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946) - Eight Show Times!

7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18

3 & 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19 - 20

7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21 - 23

 

This year, it’s a wonderful week!  George Bailey (James Stewart) has spent his entire life giving back to the people of Bedford Falls. But when George's Uncle Billy (Thomas Mitchell) loses a bank deposit from the family’s modest building and loan company on Christmas Eve, the rich and heartless Mr. Potter (Lionel Barrymore) threatens to destroy the company. Thinking his wife (Donna Reed) and their family would be better off with him dead, George contemplates suicide, but his faith is restored when an angel named Clarence (Henry Travers) shows him what life would have been like if he had never existed.  
2h 10m/ Not Rated/Comedy-Drama

 
 
HOME ALONE (1990) Celebrating Its 25th Anniversary!

3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27

 

When bratty 8-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) acts out the night before a family trip to Paris, his mother (Catherine O'Hara) makes him sleep in the attic. After the McCallisters mistakenly leave for the airport without Kevin, he awakens to an empty house and assumes his wish to have no family has come true. But his excitement sours when he realizes that two con men (Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern) plan to rob the McCallister residence, and that he alone must protect the family home.
1hr 43m/ Rated PG/Comedy-Family

 
 
Tickets for the Family Favorites classic movie series are $10 for adults and $8 for children and Tampa Theatre Members at the Box Office or online at www.TampaTheatre.org ($2 convenience fee applies).
 
The series is presented with media support by WEDU and Creative Loafing.

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Saturday, October 19, 2013

Elf on the Shelf: A Birthday Tradition



Birthdays are the number two (after Christmas, of course!) most requested time for The Elf on the Shelf to visit. In Santa’s Christmas village, the elves have their own special way of celebrating birthdays—a tradition that goes back thousands of years.  Now, at the request of children around the world, Santa has given special permission for his scout elves to share that tradition with the families who love them.  But an elf cannot come to a birthday party unless it is invited.  You can invite your elf online here.

On October 22, The Elf on the Shelf: A Birthday Tradition will be available! The Elf on the Shelf: A Birthday tradition tells the little-known story of the North Pole tradition and includes special instructions for families to invite their scout elf for a birthday visit. Written in the same signature rhyming style as the original title, the book set features the beautifully illustrated book and a Claus Couture Collection birthday outfit for the elf to wear to the celebration.

Grab your Elf on the Shelf: A Birthday Tradition, this Tuesday!  Look at how adorable their party outfits are!! Start a new tradition with your Elf this year.


 Special thanks to Elf on the Shelf for allowing us to review the new Birthday Tradition set. We decided to spread some holiday cheer, and gave our sample to a single mom and her two beautiful children this holiday season.  



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Monday, September 23, 2013

Svan Totseat, Where Have You Been My Whole Life?!



Very few products make me wish I had them ten years ago, when my oldest was just a baby. For the most part, I've made "it" work. I was a young mom, always on the go, with one child. Then with a newborn and a super active toddler. That super active toddler wouldn't stay in one place, if you paid him. Heck, there were days I didn't think super glue could keep that kid in one spot.

Going out to eat anywhere that high chairs weren't readily available was impossible. I steered far away from the mall, as well as popular luncheonettes that my girlfriends used to love to go to. Face it, nobody likes to eat anything when a toddler is trying to climb on the table, hide under the table cloth, or roll around under waiter's feet.. I was no exception.

As a mom of three kids, lunch took on a new meaning. It was a place to slow down and recenter a bit, instead of a rude interruption in the middle of a helter-skelter day.  It became a time of the day where all three of the kids could sit, mostly quiet, and I didn't have to worry who was where, doing what. I love lunch time, but I was still faced with similar problems finding high chairs readily available. There's a lot more restaurants and eateries that have high chairs, but my problem now was finding that a lot of those places had too many kids and not enough high chairs. What's a mom to do? You have two choices- pray to God that your child doesn't kamikaze off of the booster seat in a booth, or keep your kiddo in their stroller, and carve pieces of dried, stuck on pasta off of their pants, and the entire inside of the stroller fabric when you get home. If you opt for the second, you don't have anywhere to go between lunch and home.. if you go for the first, you're much braver than most people give you credit for!
So, I get this product announcement for this item called a Totseat, and I almost scroll over it, but something makes me stop. I read the title, "Durable Fabric Seat Safely Transforms Adult Chairs into the Perfect Seat for Babies and Toddlers", and snort, because- in my opinion- there is NOTHING that could have held my son into an adult seat as a baby. Being that I have a 16 month old, I figure what the heck, I'll give it a whirl.

My package came a few days later, and it arrived in a small, zippered plastic pouch. When you take it out, it has a fabric pouch that is perfect for sticking in your handbag or baby bag.  Now that I've been using it regularly, I figured out that if I attach a plastic link, (you know these links that you attach toys to, so when your kid flings it off of the stroller, it doesn't fall?), I can attach it to my stroller or baby bag easily, and don't have to dig for it!

 
Anyway! So, I tried the house chairs first. It worked like a charm. My little boy sat like he was a big man, at the table, and everything! I barely had to adjust it, and instantly, I was in love. So then I asked my friend Marissa to lunch. We decided to go to the dreaded mall. {Have I mentioned how much I hate the mall?} To the food court we went, on a mission to make it work.

We realized after we took the first picture, that we needed to adjust the position of the fabric, but as soon as we buttoned it, and adjusted the seat cummerbund, he looked much more comfortable. He even enjoyed his water! Who would have thought that at 15 months old, he would be able to sit in a metal mall chair, that was armless and had a big gap in the back, like a big kid, without falling off, or out!

For the first time since I had kids, I was able to sit in the mall, eat my lunch, drink my shake, and not have to scoop a child off of the floor ten trillion times, or worry about the condition of my stroller. I physically had moms and grandmothers stopping me, asking me what this was, and where they could get one, commenting on how *AMAZING* this invention is! 

I shook my head and nodded, directing them to the Svan website. As I packed up my son, and strolled away, she showed me just how much he loves the Totseat, too!
To purchase Totseat for yourself, or for every mom of a rowdy toddler on your holiday shopping list, visit the Svan website HERE.

The Totseat is available in 6 different colors/patterns and is $35. Of all of the crazy baby gadgets on the market, this is one of only a handful that I've ever given the I-cannot-live-without-it, and wish-I-had-it-for-the-other-two-kids stamp of approval.

To stay up to date on all of the fun and funky Svan items, be sure to follow them on Twitter, "Like" their Facebook page, and check out their Pinterest page, too!

Special thanks to Svan and the PR company representing Svan for allowing us to review this awesome product, and share our opinions with our readers. No monetary compensation was received for this review. Our opinions are our own, your experience may differ. Do not leave any child unattended while strapped into the Totseat. Always supervise during use.


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Sunday, November 27, 2011

I never knew I was pregnant- Who's Expecting Now?

You read in tabloids or see the show on TV how people go to the ER with weird pains and find out their pregnant, or in labor, and had no idea. As a mom, I laugh and roll my eyes wondering how you could not know you were pregnant for nine months.

I found out I was pregnant with my son when I was 10 weeks pregnant. I had no real signs or symptoms, in fact, I was on birth control, and was waiting for my 6 week period to stop so I could start my next pack. We tried to conceive our daughter, and succeeded. I was sick from before it was time for me to take an at home test and knew that I knew that I was pregnant.

If you follow us on Facebook, you may have seen that I've been very sick the last year. I had two cancer scares, breast and uterine, and I've been trying to figure out 'what's the matter' for most of this year. I borrowed a glucose monitor because I was sleeping a ton, and urinating a ton more than normal. I took a test about two weeks ago, and sure enough- I found out I am expecting our third!!


"A shock" is not even the phrase to describe my feelings on the topic. The worst part was I had no idea how far along I was. I kept thinking of that show... and I started to freak out. I knew that the last time Dear Aunt Flo decided to rear her ugly head it was July, so I knew I wasn't going to be in labor anytime soon, but other than that, I had no idea how far along I was.

Long story a lot shorter- the last two weeks I have been undergoing a ton of bloodwork, multiple sonograms, and they have decided that I'm due somewhere between May 12 and 19th. I will be having another cesarian, so when I get that date, I will likely post it on Facebook. I have a feeling we will be reviewing a bunch of baby stuff, as the last time I did this was 6 years ago- and man, there's a ton of new baby stuff that's so exciting, I have no words! I'm a little nervous about having three kids, I'll be honest, but both Bri and I are very excited,  now that the shock is wearing off, and the kids can't wait, too.

With Thanksgiving over, and the holidays quickly approaching, I wanted to also give you a heads up that our holiday giveaways will be starting very soon! We have everything from Target Gift Cards to some of Spin Master's HOTTEST toys, to Shutterfly Holiday cards. I can't wait to share it all with you!!  Get ready, tell your friends, and bare with my weird pregnancy stories and pickle cravings. Happy Holidays, 4BabyAndMom readers!!



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Wednesday, December 22, 2010

ThreePeasCo. Brings Couture to Christmas!


This Halloween, Abbigaile was blessed with a gorgeous pettidress from Three Peas Co. that was PERFECT for her Miss Piggy Costume. If you didn't see any of the pictures, check them out on our 4BabyAndMom Facebook Page.

During the school march, she had to wear a shirt underneath it, but even then, she still looked phenomenal! Everyone loved her dress.

Three Peas Co. carries an awesome selection of couture clothing for boys and girls. From pettidresses to animal prints, to furry faux zebra fur coats, to vintage holiday post card pj's- Three Peas Co. carries the cutest selections for your child- from tot to tween!

From Three Peas Co.:

The Three Peas Co line provides girls apparel for infants through 6 years old featuring onesies, layettes, pettiskirts, tutus, Pinaforess dress, Heirloom dress, Swing dress, bloomers, pants and accessories including hair bows.

Trois line provides girl’s apparel for 7 to teen featuring age appropriate dresses, graphic T-shirts/dresses and burnout style tees.

Drei line provides boys and guys apparel featuring graphic T-shirts, hoodies and the number one boys seller “Mommy’s Boyfriend” collection.

In the first ever Three Peas Co celebrity design collaboration, the introduction of the Tween through Teen line by Emily Grace Reaves simply called, “Emily Grace”. The exclusive “Emily Grace” line features a Day dress, jacket, party dress a purse and other accessories. Emily stared in Hannah Montana the movie and her own online show with bff Noah Cyrus called Emily and Noah show. Emily just completed filming the movie “Melissa” with Christopher Atkins and is casted for the upcoming film “Soulstice” as Skyla Tremain.

Three Peas Co. apparel’s fast rise in the Kids and Teens fashion industry has been highlighted with a growing list of young Hollywood Celebrities wearing the brand at media events, on the red carpet, Print advertisements and videos. Celebrities wearing Three Peas Co. apparel include: Noah Cyrus, Emily Grace Reeves, Brittany Curran, Madison Delagarza, Allyson Arms, Keana Texeira, Christa Texeira, Bella Thorn, Nolan Gould, Destinee and Paris Monroe and Joey King. Joey was so excited about the designs that she posted a comment on Three Peas Co Facebook page saying, “Thank you for the amazing clothes!! I love them and I would love to wear more of your designs!!

Three Peas Co offers a variety of clothing including: Couture designs, tutus, pettidresses, pillowcase dresses, infant onesies, ruffle bottom pants, T-shirts, boys T-shirts, hoodies, hats and hair bow accessories. The styles may be purchased directly at http://www.ThreePeasCo.com and selected retailers.

About Three Peas Co.
Founded in 2008 Ventura, California, Three Peas Co. Apparel Company is a growing trend setter in the design, sourcing, marketing and distribution of infant through teen specialty, boutique and couture apparel and accessories. The company has developed cutting edge designs that have attracted the attention of young Hollywood who frequently adorn the clothing for print advertising, film, red carpet premiers and events. To learn more about Three Peas Co., please visit the company’s website at www.ThreePeasCo.com

Imagine their delight owning something that their favorite stars wore on the red carpet! Three Peas Co. has This holiday, check out Three Peas Co. for your trendy girl, or little man.





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Last Minute Gift Ideas from Spin Master!

Whether you are shopping for a boy or girl, Spin Master is the creator of some of the seasons hottest toys!

If you have a little lady that you're buying for, you may have seen Zoobles on your list this year. Brand new this season, Zoobles sprung to life and grasped the attention of many girls ages 5-9.  (In my opinion, Zoobles are like Bakugan's for girls.) Super cute, and absolutely adorable, these brightly colored animals have their own play sets, and can also be purchased in single or multi-packs. They each have their own funky name, most which correlates with the type of animal they are. When play time is over, flip down the Zoobles and they look like a little ball, making the animals portable and perfect to pack up and bring to Grandma's house! These cute toys start at about $5 and are available online and in all mass retailers.

Liv Dolls are also among the list of many little girls this holiday season. Liv Dolls are realistic looking dolls (more conservative than Bratz, and more "up to date" than Barbie), that girls last year made one of the hottest toys of the season. This year new fashions, styles and accessories are putting Liv Dolls back on the frontline of fun and fashion. With 14 points of articulation, posing these natural divas is super easy for kids 5 and up. Even my nieces (9 and 12) like Liv dolls because of their fashionable styles, and interchangable wigs. These dolls retail for approx. $20. Additional accessories are also available.


On many boys' lists this season you'll find Air Hogs.

The brand new Air Hogs Hawk Eye helicopter is a revolutionary 'copter that blends the boundaries between flight, aerial videography and digital media. 

This video helicopter is the first of its kind, and can capture up to 5 minutes of video or hundreds of pictures while flying high!

It retails for approximately $65-80, and is perfect for kids 12 and up!


Another popular toy from Air Hogs is the Moto Frenzy remote controlled motorcycle. Catch air while performing high-flying indoor stunts, just like your favorite Motocross Riders. This micro R/C has a built in rear-gyro stabilizing fly wheel that lets you carve the sharpest turns, navigate the tightest courses, and always keep upright! The suggested retail value is approximately $25, and is appropriate for kids ages 8 and up.


Bakugan is back again this year, and at the top of the list is the Bakugan Dragonoid Colossus. Load your season 3 Bakugan Battle Gear together with the Dragonoid transformation hub, and watch him auto-transform into your most powerful Bakugan monster. This product retails for approximately $30 and is geared for kids 5 and up.


Kids ages 2-4 will enjoy Moon Dough, the new magical molding compound that never dires out. It is soft and marshmallow- like, cleans up easily and is great to use to develop fine motor skills. Purchase indvidual containers or play sets like this cute barnyard. Moon Dough retails for approximately $3 and up.


Dairy Queen Blizzard maker is a great addition to any young cook's collection. Make our own DQ treats with this machine. It comes with everything you need to make delicious Dairy Queen treats including ice cream mix, toppings, spoons, and a cup. This product is recommended for ages 4 and up and retails for approximately $30.


Hedbanz is a hilarious new game geared for kids or the whole family. Everyone else knows what the cartoon illustration is on your head except for you! Whether your card is a food, animal, or household item, it's up to you to use deductive reasoning to narrow it down and try to figure out what it is on your card. The suggested retail value is about $15 and is recommended for players 6 and up.

Check out these great suggestions as well as other fun items at Spin Master now.

Special thanks to Spin Master for providing 4BabyAndMom samples of some of these products this holiday season.


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Thursday, December 9, 2010

"Community" Christmas Special




Christmas time is definitely here! I know because I have already watched "A Charlie Brown Christmas","Elf",and "Shrek The Halls" with the kidoodles. I LOVE holiday specials!! I have been known to watch "A Muppet's Christmas Carol" in May, so when I say I love them I really mean it. I've noticed a trend in many shows the last few years( not just kid shows either--adult prime time shows); many of our favorite sitcoms have hilarious and heartwarming Christmas episodes and this year they are going all out!

As a full-time mom who has decidedly gone back to school at the community college level, I knew I would love the show "Community" right off the bat. If you haven't watched it yet, you should--it's hysterical. It airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. on NBC, and the cast is amazing. Joel McHale (from "The Soup" on E!) plays a lawyer who must go back to school at the community college level and the show centers around him and his band of misfit classmates. Chevy Chase (does Clark Griswold really need a parenthetical notation?) and Ken Jeong (The Hangover) are just part of the supporting cast.




Anyway, I've digressed--"Community" has made the greatest Holiday episode ever! I recently was given the opportunity to preview it, and I loved it! The entire episode is done in stop motion animation, with the characters made out of . . . .it's not clay. One character actually explains it in the episode, but for blog sake we'll just call it clay.

I really enjoyed the episode, not only because I like the holiday specials, but because I am a huge fan of the show as well. (I DVR it weekly) So, if you watch the show, don't miss the Holiday episode!(And if you haven't yet, this would be a great one to start with!)






I was given this oppurtunity to review this episode as a Member of One2One.network. All opinions are my own.

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