What's On Tap - Disney Films for 2012!

Here's what Walt Disney Pictures currently has on tap for us, scheduled for release during the upcoming year 2012!

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January 13: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 3D, also in Disney Digital 3D

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February 17: THE SECRET WORLD OF ARRIETTY  

Residing quietly beneath the floorboards are little people who live undetected in a secret world to be discovered, where the smallest may stand tallest of all.  From the legendary Studio Ghibli (“Spirited Away,” “Ponyo”) comes “The Secret World of Arrietty,” an animated adventure based on Mary Norton’s acclaimed children’s book series “The Borrowers.”

 

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1st Grader's Perspective: Mom’s Bad Haircut

It’s not that I’m unselfish, or do not enjoy being pampered.  I do.  But I have never been one to spend great amounts of money on my hair at beauty salons.  There is a part of me that would love to have my hair dyed and highlighted professionally on a monthly basis.  There is another, larger and stronger, part of me that is way too cheap to fork over the $100+ per month that this habit would demand.   Whether I have the money or not, I can’t get past all the things I would rather spend $100 on!

Between that and having longish, not-a-hairstyle hair … I typically scrape by with a combination of coloring my own hair and getting it trimmed about once every 6 months.  (I know.  Who do I think I am, right?  Bragging all up in here about my gorgeous do.) 

Disney Wordless Wednesday

This week's theme:  Your Calendar Shot!

So the question is...If you were to make a 2012 calendar, which one of your Disney pictures would you use for the cover?

Last year I made a calendar for 2011, and being the indecisive girl that I am ... each month ended up with a mini collage, rather than a single shot.   I need to do this again, I thoroughly enjoyed having it this year.  I made mine on Snapfish, which has really nice Disney templates to use.

Here were my January Headliners ...

Princess Marching - 1st day, 1st trip, just turned 4.  Such a great age for Disney!

Main Street USA, taken by my dad from the train station.  Love this "fly on the wall" perspective.

Day 2, and now she thinks she runs the joint.

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Thanks to Deb at FocusedOnTheMagic.com for hosting this weekly Disney Blog Hop.  Click on the button below to see more great pictures from this week!

Keeping Track of Your Kids At Disney - Giveaway (Ended 12/31/11)

The next time you head to Disney with kids, here's an innovative way to easily keep visual track of them - and them, of you!  Why not try wearing matching striped shirts?   (Oh, how I wish there were a castle in the background, but you get the idea...)

Red and white go particularly well with Minnie Mouse ears!

Disney Wordless Wednesday

This week's theme:  Joy

Taken on my daughter's first trip to Walt Disney World, Joy is wearing a tank top in January and eating Mickey Ice Cream for breakfast!

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Thanks to Deb at "Focused On The Magic" for hosting this weekly Disney Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop!   Come join us and check out the other great photos by clicking the button below.

Ever Tried a Cookie Exchange Party?

I enjoy an excuse to invite girlfriends over on a Saturday afternoon, and about once a year I host some sort of home sales party as an excuse to do so.  The downside being, you know there are always some people who don't feel comfortable with the sales aspect of such situations, so they end up staying home and missing out on the fun of visiting and eating treats with your friends.

Enter the cookie exchange party!  I recently saw an offer on Hershey's newly launched Cookie Headquarters Website that you could enter to host a cookie exchange party.  So I gave it a shot.  This is the supply pack I received from them.

Cookie making ingredients, recipe card and pastry box party favors, and an apron for me! 

I love this idea.  Make a few of your favorite cookies or bars, then get together with friends to visit and trade goodies - and everyone leaves with a fun, tasty assortment of treats!  I know this is something that people do around the Holidays to build their stash of baked goods to share, but I think it's a fun party idea for anytime. 

I was able to download and print some cute invitations to use, from Hershey's website.

New Movie Clip - "War Horse"

Here is a newly released clip from DreamWorks Pictures’ WAR HORSE featuring Emily Watson and Jeremy Irvine.

UPDATED: Beauty and the Beast in 3D - Download Gift!

1/9/12 UPDATE:  For any with small princesses, concerned that they won't wear 3D glasses during an entire movie, yet wanting to see this classic film in theatres starting next weekend - GOOD NEWS!  I have just been informed that "Beauty and the Beast" will be shown in both 3D and 2D!  Just be sure to check your local listing for the descriptions.

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"Tale as old as time ..."  Be that as it may, of all the wonderful Disney Princesses to chose from - I've always had a special place in my heart for the brunette bookworm, Belle! (And I know my Disney-loving brunette sisters hear me when I say that...)

Disney PhotoPass CD - Worth the Cost?

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Disney PhotoPass CD - Worth the Cost?

Wordless Wednesday - Snowy Landing

Enjoy more Wordless Wednesday shots with 5 Minutes For Mom!

How young is too young for sledding?  Read my post "Sledding - Good Old Fashioned Fun"...

Sledding - Good Old Fashioned Fun

In an age where technology has taken over the entertainment of our children - I think it's neat that sledding is still considered universally by kids as a very fun thing to do.  School called off by a "Snow Day"?  The nearest sledding hill will likely be packed.

Decadence Gourmet Cheesecakes - Review & Coupon

1/8/11 UPDATE:  This coupon code has just been extended through March 1, 2012!

There are also some special, seasonal six packs currently available - see bottom for details.

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If you've heard of them already, you are probably just excited to get your hands on that coupon code...

Have you been stumped trying to think of a gift for your grown parents?  Something that would be an out-of-the-ordinary delight, which they would both equally enjoy?  Well I think you may have just found it!

OXO - Good Cookie Spatula ** GIVEAWAY! ** (Ended 12/13/11)

I'm very excited to be hosting my very first giveaway, with OXO!

But this review isn't going to be so much about the Good Cookie Spatula, it's going to be about the amazing thing that OXO is up to ... and why.

EPCOT Dining: Le Cellier

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EPCOT Dining:  Le Cellier

 

I make milk. What's your super power?

Years ago while using a one room, no stalls restroom at a client site - I observed that it contained an extra, loose chair.  Just sitting in there.  So that's:  sink, stool ... and extra chair.  I tend to prefer order and reason in my world, and I was completely baffled, and somewhat disturbed, by the what the purpose of this piece of furniture in that environment could possibly be?  Little did I know I had just had my first glimpse into the self sacrificing realm that is the Nursing Mommy!

Disney Wordless Wednesday

This week's theme:  The Muppets - In the Parks and At Home!

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The Rainbow Connection ... Where It All Began

For me, love of the Muppets goes back to the 70s, when I used to listen to my favorite LP record over and over again in my bedroom.  Did you have a copy?

1st Grader's Perspective: Movie Candy Smuggling

Are you a Movie Candy Smuggler?  How about a "Sodas and Bottled Water in your Huger Than Normal Purse" Movie Goer? 

Image courtesy of digitalart

Oh, I'll patronize them for their $64.50 large bucket of hot, buttery popcorn.  It's out of my realm of control, really - I have to do it.  It doesn't matter what strategy I try to employ, prior to a trip to the movie theater.  I can be filled to the brim after eating an entire ribeye hanging-off-the-sides-of-my-plate steak dinner, five minutes prior to leaving for the theater.  It won't matter.  The second I get a whiff of the concession stand's steaming, freshly popped popcorn ... I'm getting in line for some. 

Disney Wordless Wednesday

This week's theme for Disney Wordless Wednesday is ... "Thanks for the Memories"!

Our family recently had a new experience, on our last trip to Walt Disney World, and it made some fantastic memories that we are thankful for! 

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The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

The girl who typically doesn't want her hair done makes an exception for her Fairy Godmother in The Castle.

Muppets Drop In To SNL

If you are of the Muppets Generation, as am I, you are likely planning on catching the premiere of the new "Muppet Movie" this weekend.  Did you know that the list of Jason Segal's talents (as described on Wikipedia) include "puppeteer"?  I had no idea this actor was so multi-faceted.  I also read that he has co-written and helped produced the upcoming Disney released film, and played a large role in pushing to even have it made.  Go Jason!  I think I'm a new fan.  Cause let's face it people:  Anyone who loves the Muppets, is a good person to love.

This was way past my bedtime (it's life in the parenting fast lane around our household), but here are a couple of highlights from Jason's stint hosting NBC's Saturday Night Live last weekend. 

A little help with the opening monolog. 

If video widget does not appear, please try this link: 

http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/Jason-Segel-and-Muppets-Monologue/1369450

Disney Vacation Connection App

1/10/12 UPDATE:  Word on the street is that the "Disney Vacation Connection" is going away.  Users have reported experiencing different behaviors, indicating that this application is no longer going to be supported.  Some have been prompted to save the items in their gallery, along with the message "It's all coming to an end".  Others have been prompted to enter a name, address, and email in order to keep updated in the future.  

While increased overhead and related performance issues were certainly present, many will be very sad to see the Disney Vacation Connection go!  We are all suckers for the trip anticipation factor - and nothing else helps build it quite like seeing a live countdown to your vacation each and every day.

Disney Wordless Wednesday

This week's theme:  M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E!

Baby's 1st Encounter

Waiting my turn.  Is that guy famous, or something?

Poll Results: Do you visit a blog for the giveaways?

As a new blogger, I ran this poll primarily for my own information and input.  So I greatly appreciate those who participated - a big "thank you" goes out to you! 

Here are the results, which I found surprising:

Are you more likely to visit a blog regularly if they feature giveaways?

--> Yep.  I like free stuff.  Sue me.
--> No, it's all about the content.

 And the winner, by a landslide 100% of responses, is ... "No, it's all about the content!".

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Why in the world would I make a cake from SCRATCH?

For years I pondered the question, "Since making a cake is clearly an exact enough science that they have it perfected to the point where you can buy a box mix for $.99 ... why would anyone go to the hassle of making one from scratch?"  Have you ever pondered them same thing?  Then I'm here with a gratifying answer for you today.

Because making one from scratch is going to ROCK YOUR WORLD, and those of your cake-eatin' loved ones - that's why!

Eewwy goooey yumness

My neighbor friend is known for her amazing chocolate cakes.  One taste, and you're hooked.  I assumed this was not a skill I would be able to add to my  repertoire, and perhaps you are thinking the same thing... but take heart!  She freely shared her recipe, and the secret is - it's just not that hard, and it's sooo worth it!  Read on, and give it a shot.

The Disneyland Blog Hop - Mickey Pretzels

He's soft.  He's salty.  He's twisted up.  And he's oh, so satisfying!  Who is he?  He's the tasty new Mickey Pretzel at Magic Kingdom!

We had a chance to try out this latest new snack this Fall ... at the time, it was only available from the food cart in Frontierland (near the turkey leg cart).  And you know he tastes way better than a regular old pretzel! 

I'm not a bettin' woman.  But I'll bet this snack's here to stay.

Check out the other blog posts from the "Blog Hop:  Food Edition" this week, by clicking the button below:

Disney Blog Hop - Wordless Wednesday

Majestic.  "One Girl's Dream ..." is that this was my bedroom.

 My very first "Wordless Wednesday"!  Click the button above to see more great pictures in this week's Hop - "One Man's Dream..."

1st Grader's Perspective: Mom’s Dangerous Job

Each year of my eldest child’s life brings new and interesting developments, which I delight in seeing.  

I don’t know about you, but they are teaching my daughter much more in First Grade than I EVER learned at that age.  The other day she inquired, “Do you know what a polygon is?”  I thought I probably did?   Don’t ask me to give you an actual definition, or anything crazy like that.  Which she proceeded to do.  “A polygon is any shape with 3 or more sides, flat, with no openings”.  Sweet!  I’m going to try and use that word three times in my daily life today, and make it my own.

I have always tried to explain things in terms I thought she would understand, trying to giving her context to help grasp new concepts.  Myself, I’ve always been a “show me the Big Picture, and where this fits in” kinda girl.  And the technique seems to work well for her, too. 

The Modern Day Prince Charming

The stereotypes have shifted.  We are living in times which can suddenly flip our normal family life on its ear.  Almost overnight, you may find you are having to switch roles, and struggle to find a new way to balance the loads.  This is the tale of my Modern Day Prince Charming - does he sound like someone in your life?   

He cooks.  He cleans.  He changes poopy diapers.  He's the Modern Day Prince Charming.

Don't Forget the Backup... Bringing Grandparents Along to Disney - Part II

So in Part I, you read the riveting saga of how and why my parents agreed to meet my family (Party of 3, at that time) at Walt Disney World.  In this post I will include my Top 4 Reasons why I recommend that your family does so, too!

My parents live in a different state, so they flew down separately and met us at the All-Star Movies Resort, where we had booked our 7 day package (3 of them FREE!  THIS is what I lose sleep over ... please, please, PLEEEASE bring that off season deal back, Disney!!  Please and thank you.) 

If you have not been to WDW, they have "value" resorts with affordable prices that I guarantee will pleasantly surprise you.  They are a hustling, bustling blast and frankly have more Disney theming than the other, more expensive resorts on property.  I'll save that analysis for another post.

Let's get to the report, shall we?  

My mom and dad bought those Minnie Ears especially for ME - but did I get to wear them?  Jeeez.

Top 4 reasons to bring grandparents along on your WDW trip:

Don’t Forget the Backup … Bringing Grandparents Along to Disney – Part I

This idea was not original to me, I’ll just lay that out on the table right away.  My daughter was 3, I was at a lunch with some fellow stay at home moms, and one of them was talking about their recent trip to Disney World.  Thinking back, this very likely started that first seed.  Not the seed to “bring grandparents along with you to Disney” … the seed to even GO to Disney!  That seed which rapidly grew inside me to become the, I’ll admit it, obsession of vacationing at Disney which I now have today.

My dad, having waaay too much fun - making new friends in the Magic Kingdom.

Thank you!

It was a GREAT first day! 

Thanks to everyone who checked out the debut of my blog, and my very first post ever.  I appreciate it, and the encouraging, positive comments were so uplifting - this is going to be so much fun!

My mission is now to bring interesting and enjoyable content in the days to come ... the ideas are spinning in my head ...

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When You Wish Upon a Star

“When I grow up, I want to be a …”? Do you even remember? When you were a kid, what did you wish to be when you grew up? I don’t recall the specifics, but for me I believe that “horse trainer” and “pilot” were in there somewhere along the way. I’m grown up now, by the way, and I’m neither of those things. But I’m ok with that.

I don’t think you realistically (or not so realistically) start formulating that wish until you actually start working. That’s when the disparity begins to set in. Between what you find is either available for you to do, or what you need to do … and what you wish, deep down inside, that you could do.