Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. 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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Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Skelf on a Shelf

This is the post I shared on my IG tonight.

My daughter asked me, begged me, for a girl #ElfOnTheShelf. Everyone in her class has one, she says. "Please mommy?"

Like a good mom, I told her that I do a great job reporting to Santa how they behave, besides, when they misbehave, Santa probably hears me yell. We giggled.

Tonight, I had some errands to run, and when I came home, she greeted me with, "Mommy, we have an Elf on The Shelf now!"

"We do?" I look around trying to figure out who or what she was talking about.

"Yes, right here, I made its hat, and we can't touch him or he'll lose his magic powers. What do you think?"



"I love him", I said with giggles, "you are the most creative little girl I've ever met!"

"I wonder where he's going to move to tomorrow. I hope he moves!" She beamed with pride.

So, world, meet our "Skelf", or Skeleton-on-the-shelf!

#nightmarebeforechristmas #wenttoherhead #skeleton #ontheshelf #skelf #skelfontheshelf #wehaveaskelfontheshelf #rrwl #lifeinlivingchaos

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Sunday, November 8, 2015

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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Monday, October 22, 2012

Personalized Christmas Stockings -Only $7.99

I just opened my inbox, and this awesome offer was waiting for me, and I knew I had to share it with you all!! What a great price!

Watch your children’s eyes widen with excitement after seeing their name on their own red plush Vistaprint stocking hanging from your mantel.

After all, children and adults alike are sure to love having this memorable holiday keepsake every holiday season. Christmas stockings are easy to customize, fun to show off, and always add the perfect personal element to gift giving.

 Simply choose a name and font to begin creating a holiday gift that you’ll enjoy for years to come – and that’s as unique as you.

And for only $7.99 plus FREE shipping, now you can shop once and deliver cheer to everyone on your holiday list. Just one of the many reasons to shop at Vistaprint this season.

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Thursday, March 15, 2012

Make Holiday Vacation Plans Now! Busch Gardens Christmas Town Opens November, 2012

From a press release:


CHRISTMAS TOWN, ONLY AT BUSCH GARDENS
Tampa’s Premiere Family Destination Will Create the Bay Area’s Biggest Christmas Celebration Ever Tampa, Fla. (March 1, 2012) – Busch Gardens Tampa is getting ready to launch the biggest Christmas celebration ever! Christmas Town will transform the park into a nighttime holiday wonderland of wintery surprises and all things Christmas, filling guests’ senses with seasonal sights, sounds and flavors, and creating a beautiful new tradition for Tampa’s families.

For the first time in the park’s 53-year history, visitors to Christmas Town will experience all-new evening attractions, shows and shopping every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night, Nov. 30 through Dec. 23. Guests can look forward to special entertainment, live music, festive treats, holiday shopping and thousands and thousands of twinkling Christmas lights around every turn. “When Christmas Town opens in November, it will be the beginning of a unique holiday tradition for Tampa Bay area,” says Jim Dean, Busch Gardens Tampa’s park president. “We are creating a season-long celebration for family and friends unlike any other event our guests have ever seen – the kind of Christmas fun only Busch Gardens can provide.”

Similar to the park’s popular Halloween event, Christmas Town will be a separate-ticketed night event, and regular daytime Busch Gardens admission is not required or included. Discounts will be available for annual pass members, and families with children ages 3 to 9 will enjoy special ticket prices for their youngest members. The new event will also offer some magnificent new opportunities for groups looking to book a unique holiday party. For park news, updates, photos, “Like” Busch Gardens Tampa Bay on Facebook.

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Saturday, December 11, 2010

Best Christmas Gift Ever: "It's Not Cancer"

It's no secret that I haven't been feeling right over the last year. Anyone that has popped in through the year may have been privvy to my very up and down, roller coaster-esque health this year. Over the summer I found a lump in my breast. The lump was basically in the same spot that my mother's cancer was in, that she battled against earlier in the year, just the opposite breast.

I knew no matter what the case was, that I would be alright.

After waiting for an eternity, I received my referral letter for my mammography. I do not envy anyone that has had mammo's in their life. Although it wasn't nearly as painful or uncomfortable as I thought it would be, it's definitely not something I'm eager to do again.

I had to wait for the results, and when I received results, they were all kinds of confusing. The doctors office said that it was inconclusive, and that they would likely have to run more tests. Then I got a phone call from the doctors office the next week that said they basically found a lump, but need to have a sonogram, and then I got a letter from the mammography place that said that they had found a mass, but that most of the time masses are non-cancerous and that I would have to follow up with my doctor and undergo more testing.

Needless to say, it's been one hell of a year.

I went for my sonogram on Thursday, and got the best news of my life. The sonogram was clear. The tech felt the lump, went over it every which way, and it was clear. The shape and size of the lump, she said, sounded like tissue, and that the doctor would have to confirm, but everything looked good.

Even though the three words were not said, ("It's Not Cancer"),  I heard, "It's Not Cancer".

I know that I still have to watch it through the years, and make sure that it doesn't grow, or change, but I'm going to be ok.

In the meantime, I now need to figure out how to find out what's going on with my body, as I'm still not feeling right. If it's not cancer, I need to find out what it is, because I can't continue to live like this. But for right now, I am celebrating. Celebrating the fact that my sonogram was clear, and that everything is going to be alright. For now.




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Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Holiday Must Haves 2010- What's on YOUR child's Wish List?

Did you know that there are only 16 Friday's until Christmas?

With the holidays quickly approaching, I asked my kids today what was on their holiday wish lists. They rambled off a list of items, but the two things they want most are:

Abbigaile (age 4)-

She didn't get them for Back to School, and she's been asking for them for awhile. 
The nine million commercials definitely help, as well.

Of course, she'd prefer the pink one. Thankfully, the love of reading has carried down to our littlest. 
She saw someone using their V.Reader at my son's school, and was hooked.



Alex (age 7)
He'd really like a drum set, but we don't have the room for a real one. He said that an electronic one would do the job, so this is one of his must have's this season.


He's been asking for this since his birthday, last March. Now that he's older and takes better care of things, 
I think that this might be a great choice for this holiday.

Abbie told me she loves Olivia, anything art, and that she would enjoy "more books and Barbies", as well. Both kids asked for board games, and Alex told me about 15 Wii and DS games. One of the other things that he wants is an Erector Set, or the K'nex Speed Coaster or Motorized Madness Ball Machine.

On my list this year is a new set of pots and pans, an electric sweeper, a crock pot, and a camera. The hubster needs some new tools, but wants an HD radio, an mp3 player, a new laptop/desktop "for just him", a new pair of sneakers and work boots. He would really like a new TV and a home weather station, but knows that's not in our budget.. the same way I'm going to have to wait for my dining room set.

So there's a sneak-peek into our holiday wish lists. What's on yours, your spouse, or your child's list?

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Friday, December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays from 4BabyAndMom!

MerryChristmas_4BabyAndMom

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Friday, December 4, 2009

Holiday Deals at CookieBouquets.com!

Home of the Best Cookies in the World- (ok, this is *my* opinion and every family member that's had a baby in the last 4 years!)- CookieBouquets.com has some great specials going on just in time for the holidays!

Whether you're celebrating Hanukkah or Christmas, you can personalize your cookie-bouquet to fit just about any occasion.

CookieBouquets.com's slogan is "the edible alternative"- and that it is. Why send flowers or fruit, or some horrid cake that you think might taste good because the picture is pretty?? Everyone loves cookies, and in my experience over the past 4 years, every single person that I've sent one to says that these cookies are by far the tastiest!

Not finding a bouquet or box that strikes your fancy? The helpful customer service representatives will help customize your order to meet your needs. Products at CookieBouquets.com start at only $7.95, so you'll find something for every budget.

Check it out for yourself, ask for a catalog, or to be included in special email offers, here!

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Monday, November 23, 2009

Join 4BabyAndMom and Get HYPED 4The Holidays!

This season the downward spiral of the economy has hit a lot of homes pretty hard. We've all read stories across the blogosphere on how to save money and live a fuller life by pinching pennies, making more meals from scratch, and learning all about how to enter contests on blogs to win the stuff we really want.

The objective of our Holiday Promotion is to get you-- all of our readers HYPED 4The Holidays, and bring you more of the products you want! So for the next few weeks be sure to make some time to pull a nice cozy chair in front of the fireplace (or with carols singing in the background) and a nice cup of cocoa, to read our reviews, enter our giveaways, take advantage of our special coupon codes and deals, and get suggestions for the perfect gift for all of your family members from our 2009 Holiday Gift Guide.

You have until 4pm EST TODAY to grab our button to obtain the EARLY BIRD extra entries on all of our giveaways throughout the entire promotion. Make sure you subscribe to us, so you don't miss a single offer. Also, special "DoorBuster" offers for extra entries will be made on Twitter and Facebook, so be sure you're following us, or a fan.

"But who are we getting so excited to see?" you ask.

Over the next few weeks, you'll find oodles of reviews with giveaways from familiar friends like Kids Foot Locker, Hasbro & Smelly Washer.com, to new and exciting companies like Kellogg's, Green Works, BJ's Wholesale Club, Pearl Paradise and more!

Plus, this week you'll get to meet our newest team member, Marissa, and her two fabulous children. We've had the opportunity to add her to our website so that we can truly bring you a larger spectrum of products to review and expertise. She's a fabulous mom who can spot a sale over a mile away, and has tons of insight to share with us all.

We are so excited to bring you reviews this season from food and entertaining, to today's hottest toys and gadgets, and we can't wait to get HYPED 4The Holidays!

From Our Family to Yours,

Lauren, Brian, Alex & Abbie
Marissa & family

4BabyAndMom


If you would like to see your product featured on our website or in our Holiday Gift Guide, we have a few more spots available. Please email 4BabyAndMom at gmail dot com for more details, or with any questions.

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Monday, November 16, 2009

Bob Evans and Publix team up to bring the classics home to your table!

Just in time for Thanksgiving, local Publix locations (and some other retailers, too!) have started carrying Bob Evans Side Dishes like Original Mashed Potatoes, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, and Mac & Cheese in the refrigerated foods section.

My husband is a beef and potato kind of guy, and an absolute "Homemade Mashed Potato Junkie". Seriously, he could eat mashed potatoes from scratch all day long. I love mashed potatoes too, but rarely did we have homemade mashed potatoes growing up, the instant kind was just quicker. When I first started cooking for my husband, Brian would call my 'fake' potatoes out every time I cooked them. I couldn't believe he could tell the difference. Shortly there-after, I was invited to his mothers house and enjoyed homemade mashed potatoes the way they're supposed to taste.

Years have passed since then, and I have converted to homemade potatoes all the way. The kids love it, and let's face it- it's healthier.

Recently, I was presented the opportunity to review the new line of Bob Evans refrigerated potatoes and Mac & Cheese. (We literally live 4 blocks from a Bob Evans, and many Mothers or Fathers Days meals have been there.) Needless to say, I jumped at the opportunity to try them. I knew that the original sides that are served in their restaurants are delicious, and my kids devour them, but would the packaged kind work? Would they be a healthier alternative than say the boxed competitors versions?? Would it be enough to feed my hungry family? I was excited to try them out, especially since now with kids of my own, I can relate to why my mom used boxed potatoes.

The new Bob Evans Mashed Potatoes come in 'Original' and 'Garlic'. We decided to play it safe, and try the Original potatoes first. The package is microwavable, and almost instantly you have the creamiest, fluffiest homemade mashed potatoes- (with only a few little lumps of real potatoes)- ready for your dining room table.

The ingredients on the label were all normal ingredients, words that I could pronounce, and the nutritional values were very impressive for a pre-packaged product. I was expecting the sodium to be sky high, and honestly- it wasn't. The amount of food in the container was great for the size of the container. It was really packed into it, not half empty like most store bought sides. My scavengers were satisfied with the quantity.

The Bob Evans Mac & Cheese was thicker, closer to real homemade Mac & Cheese. The kids are used to the store boxed brand, so at first they were a little hesitant, but as soon as we told them it was like the kind from Bob Evans, they went to town on it! They cleared their plates, and even asked for more!

Brian & I cook with a ton of garlic, so I must say that our personal favorites were the Bob Evans Garlic Mashed Potatoes. Seasoned perfectly, it wasn't overly "Ghhhhhhhharlicy" but very well flavored. I generally need my potatoes to be lump free, but the tiny bits that were left in it really made it feel, and taste like genuine homemade potatoes.
I am excited that more varieties of classic Bob Evans products are being added to our local Publix shelves, and cannot wait to give the other products (like the Cheddar Potatoes!) a try. I've noticed on the actual Bob Evans Website, they have family sized containers as well, which would be perfect for the holidays, or for a really hungry group.

If the thought of homemade potatoes are that intimidating, Bob Evans Mashed Potatoes are the next best thing to homemade. Look for Bob Evans Sides at your local grocery store, and ask for them by name if they do not carry them yet. Bob Evans quality foods are sure to complete any meal or tradition, and with more selections being added, all of this year's Thanksgiving sides could be complete- from Sweet Potatoes to Glazed Apples!

WANT IT??
Click here to SAVE $0.50 on any Bob Evans Refrigerated Side Dish! Use this link if you're interested in saving on other Bob Evans Products. Find a super market or store near you that carries Bob Evans, here.

Congratulations to our WINNERS!!

Please read the WINNERS POST for more information on how to claim your prize!

This giveaway is open to residents of the US and will end on November 21st, at 11:59pm EST. Two winners will be chosen at random using Random.org. Special thanks to Bob Evans for sponsoring this review and giveaway, and allowing our family and readers to try these yummy sides on them!

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Monday, November 9, 2009

It's almost that time of the year again!


Keep your eyes out because beginning this month through early December, 4BabyAndMom is bringing you some of the best of the best. You'll find reviews and giveaways from toys, to food, to adorable clothing and accessories, not to mention jewelry- because I don't know anyone who doesn't like a little sparkle under their tree.

Grab a button now to spread the word and get Hyped 4the Holidays at 4BabyAndMom!


4BabyandMom



4BabyandMom



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