tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27792298886439810972024-02-19T07:41:39.654-08:00The Lemonade StandJessica R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03195009922804434161noreply@blogger.comBlogger135125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2779229888643981097.post-88733411508311177732011-04-19T11:30:00.000-07:002011-04-19T11:30:44.760-07:00Good Enough is the New Perfect: An Interview with the Authors<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Good-Enough-New-Perfect-Motherhood/dp/0373892373?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Good Enough Is the New Perfect: Finding Happiness and Success in Modern Motherhood" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=0373892373&tag=thelemsta-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thelemsta-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0373892373" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" />Three years ago I came up with an idea for a book. It was going to be a gentle nudge to my table top protector and shopping cart covering mom friends to say "Enough. Relax. Enjoy your kids. Haven't you heard? Good enough is the new perfect." I outlined the chapters and then remembered how much I prefer writing fiction so I wrote some of that instead. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Lucky for me, I then met two delightful ladies who have written the book. So yay. I'm off the hook on that.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">They cover it all from being a "good enough" wife to being a "good enough career dog." They're out to show us all how we can have it "all," we just need to define the "all" for ourselves. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Aside from getting my very own copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Good-Enough-New-Perfect-Motherhood/dp/0373892373?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Good Enough is the New Perfect</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thelemsta-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0373892373" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" />, I've also been given my very own interview with the authors. Which I'm going to share with you right now. But not the book. You can get that on your own. Lucky you, it just came out today.<br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif; font-size: small;">Q&A with Becky Beaupre Gillespie and Hollee Schwartz Temple, authors of </span></b> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Good-Enough-New-Perfect-Motherhood/dp/0373892373?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Good Enough Is the New Perfect: Finding Happiness and Success in Modern Motherhood</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thelemsta-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0373892373" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,serif; font-size: small;"><i>. </i></span></b> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"><b>1. You talk about two types of working moms in your book: the Never Enoughs and the Good Enoughs. Who are these women?</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"><b>BECKY: </b></span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">We’re going to generalize here for a moment, but the Never Enoughs are the women striving for </span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"><i>perfection </i></span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">at work and with their kids, the women focused on always being #1. We called them the Never Enoughs because many described themselves as constantly running toward expectations but rarely reaching them — or reaching them and deciding it wasn’t enough, or reaching them and then feeling like they’d completely failed elsewhere as a result. These women struggle the most to say no, they’re the ones who beat themselves up the most for making mistakes. In our survey, the Never Enoughs were the women who described themselves as having “a strong need to be the best at everything.” They were six times more likely than the Good Enoughs to say, “I try to be a superstar at work AND at home, even if it kills me.”</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">The Good Enoughs, on the other hand, told us that being the “the best” wasn’t important, as long as they were “good enough and happy” at work and at home. These were the women who had hopped off that hamster wheel and created their own definitions of success. They were more satisfied with their choices, and less likely to feel they’d sacrificed too much. They were also far less likely to describe their marriages as “a disaster” or “not very good.” They were better at making time for themselves, and at finding time to spend with friends and family. The part that surprised us? The Good Enoughs had given up very little ground at work to achieve this state of contentment. </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"><b>2. So which ones are you? Good Enoughs or Never Enoughs?</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"><b>BECKY:</b></span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"> Depends on the day! We both have our Never Enough moments — you should have seen me the month before our manuscript was due — but we’re both more “Good Enough” than we’ve ever been. It’s an ongoing effort to embrace this philosophy. I’ve become better at knowing the difference between needing to be the best at everything — and choosing to throw my energy into something that means a lot to me. I’ve learned to accept my imperfections, which, frankly, saves me a lot of time. I don’t need to sit around second-guessing myself as much, and I don’t feel compelled to say “yes” to as many things. Of course, I still fall off the Good Enough wagon all the time. After all, I spent a lot of years trying to accrue “gold stars” — trying to be the </span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"><i>best </i></span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">mother, the </span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"><i>best</i></span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"> at work, the </span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"><i>best</i></span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"> Downward Facing Dog in yoga class. It was exhausting, and it was pointless.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"><b>HOLLEE</b></span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">:</span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">I think I am pretty squarely in the Good Enough camp these days. The best example I can think of — which I detailed in the book — involved a kindergarten snack. This fiasco occurred three years ago, during my first foray into providing school snacks, and for some unexplainable reason (maybe a tinge of guilt about being a working mom), I felt a real need to outdo myself (and honestly, the other moms) with this contribution.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">So when Gideon said he wanted me to make Oreo spiders (from a </span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"><i>Highlights</i></span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"> magazine) with pretzel legs for the 22 kids, I was all for it. Until two hours later … when I was still struggling to get the pretzels firmly entrenched without breaking the cookies! As my husband was nibbling on some “spiders” that I had rejected, he wondered out loud whether anyone would appreciate (or even notice) this effort!</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">Flash forward to this past winter, when I realized about 8 p.m. that I hadn’t made anything to send in for Gideon’s third grade holiday party. I really didn’t feel like making a late-night run to the store — and then I spotted an (already-opened) box of Oreos in the pantry. I sent them the next day, and the kids were thrilled! Lesson learned.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"><b>3. What are the “New” Mommy Wars?</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"><b>HOLLEE:</b></span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"> The “New” Mommy Wars are the latest development in the country’s evolving work/life story. In the previous Mommy Wars, at-home mothers were pitted against working mothers, and careers were considered to be an all-or-nothing proposition. Briefcase or stroller — you had to pick.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">But with the changes in technology and the shift in mindset toward increased work/life balance, the Mommy Wars have found a new battleground — this time inside the minds of today’s mothers. This generation, groomed from birth to believe they could Have It All, obsesses and overanalyzes and overthinks every parenting and career-related decision. With our unprecedented access to information, we often feel overwhelmed by our ample inheritance, fretting over what’s the “right” or “best” thing to do for our children and our careers. This internal battle becomes even more complicated because there are so many different ways to work and parent today. We have work-at-home moms, freelance moms, hybrid moms … the lines aren’t as sharp as they used to be, and that’s very hard on women. Moms want to be validated and they want to belong. Instead, one of our most surprising findings was that many women said they felt utterly alone in their work/life choices, that no one else was quite like that them. And that made the self-questioning, that new Mommy War, even more difficult to fight.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"><b>BECKY:</b></span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"> This loneliness was particularly apparent in some of my early reporting. One week, I did a string of interviews in which every woman issued the same complaint: “I’m the only mom in this town who works.” It was funny because these women </span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"><i>all lived in the same town</i></span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">. Later, the same thing happened in a different town, too. I pointed this out to one of the women, and it didn’t make her feel any better. She </span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"><i>still</i></span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"> felt like the odd one out because her jobs, her work arrangement and her attitude differed from the other working moms she knew. </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"><b>4. Shouldn’t this shared loneliness bring women together?</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"><b>BECKY: </b></span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">Many women don’t speak up. Some don’t want to admit that they’re struggling, that they don’t have things figured out. Others don’t want to seem ungrateful and whiny. Our generation has been told over and over that we have advantages our mothers and grandmothers could never have imagined. As a result, many of us are reluctant to admit that, despite this, we’re still having a hard time. Or worse, that we don’t appreciate what we have.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"><b>5. Another book by a working mom, Amy Chua’s </b></span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"><i><b>Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother</b></i></span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"><b>, has garnered a lot of attention in recent months by advocating a rather extreme approach to motherhood. What do you make of this philosophy?</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"><b>BECKY: </b></span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">You could call us “anti-Tiger Mothers.” We embrace a completely different approach to motherhood — one that allows women to succeed by accepting their imperfections and using that as a springboard to greater success. Amy Chua writes about demanding perfection from her daughters: no grade less than an A, practicing musical instruments for hours each day, never being anything less than the #1 student in every class, except drama and gym. </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">We think this is too narrow a view of success — and, frankly, we think it’s a bit lazy. Knowing our own passions, shrugging off other people’s ideas of success, figuring out exactly where to spend our energy — that’s hard work. It requires critical thinking instead of single-minded focus. The New Perfect </span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">requires constant recalibration, the ability to read cues and understand other people’s talents and viewpoints, and the ability to balance a bunch of goals simultaneously. It means knowing ourselves. Yes, Perfect requires the ability to prioritize, but the New Perfect requires something even harder: the ability to</span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"><i> re-prioritize.</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"><b>HOLLEE: </b></span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">Frankly, I felt disgusted when I first read about Prof. Chua’s approach in the Wall Street Journal. I remembered her darling girls from when I was a student at Duke Law School, and my heart ached for them. Having high standards is one thing, but conditioning love on performance and modeling perfection as the only option — those aren’t prudent choices. </span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"><i><b>Good Enough Is the New Perfect</b></i></span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"><b> is available at bookstores nationwide and at </b></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Good-Enough-New-Perfect-Motherhood/dp/0373892373?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Amazon</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thelemsta-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0373892373" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"><b>.</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"><b>About the authors:</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.18in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">Becky and Hollee</span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"> are the work/life balance columnists for the </span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"><i>ABA Journal</i></span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">, the nation’s premiere lawyer magazine. Both graduates of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, they first worked together in the early 1990s, when Becky was Hollee’s first editor at </span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"><i>The Daily Northwestern</i></span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">. Like so many of the working mothers they interviewed, they forged non-linear career paths, taking detours in their quests to balance work and family. They blog about work/life and parenting issues at TheNewPerfect.com.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"><b>Becky</b></span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"> is an award-winning journalist who has written for the </span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"><i>Chicago Sun-Times</i></span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">, </span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"><i>The Detroit News</i></span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">, </span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"><i>USA Toda</i></span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">y and the </span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"><i>Democrat and Chronicle</i></span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"> of Rochester, N.Y. </span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">In 2001, while on staff at the </span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"><i>Sun-Times</i></span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">, she co-wrote a groundbreaking investigative series on “failing teachers” that led to statewide reforms in teacher testing and a crackdown on teacher quality in the Chicago Public Schools. The three-day series, which began one week after the birth of her first child, gave Becky her first experience at balancing motherhood and career. She lives in Chicago’s Lincoln Square neighborhood with her husband, Pete, an employment litigator, and their two daughters.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"><b>Hollee</b></span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"> is a journalist-turned-lawyer-turned-professor at West Virginia University College of Law. After </span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;">graduating</span><span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"> at the top of her class with a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, Hollee headed to Duke University School of Law. She graduated in 1999, and then began a four-year stint as a litigation associate at an international law firm. After her first son was born in 2002, Temple returned to her firm on a part-time basis before joining the WVU faculty the next year. Hollee lives in Morgantown, West Virginia, with her husband, John, an author and journalism professor, and their two sons, Gideon and Henry.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div></div>Did you like this <a href="http://www.roselemonade.blogspot.com/">The Lemonade Stand</a> post?<br />
Don't miss the next one!<a href="http://roselemonade.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss"> Subscribe</a> via my RSS feed. </div>Jessica R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03195009922804434161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2779229888643981097.post-66921221192341109912011-01-03T11:34:00.000-08:002011-01-10T11:12:16.961-08:00Insect Lore Ant Hill Review and Giveaway - Updated with winner info<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000065AEY?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000065AEY" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbGnZf7Dyj8uDfNFvT7zqBuDM5OzqeGQ-fK1xiDYq6lurNH-wGoOds7JJiLY0sGQItVFlsRMBe425PjKWBy19kjH4MjejlWFNzHMGOSpNWCFfC3KxDLgbEQUVa_2tyYT04qYKlXexYNsC/s200/Insect+Lore+Ant+Hill.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>I'm not a bug kinda gal. I have real issues with the ones with wings, but really, I'm not much a fan of any creepy crawlies, which explains why I have plenty of bug spray on hand. Knowing this,my fascination for the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000065AEY?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000065AEY">Insect Lore Ant Hill</a> came as a huge surprise to me and to anyone who knows me.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">First we got the ant hill in the mail and I was intriegued by its shape. Instead of a flat, tall, skinny "traditional" type ant farm, this is a half dome - much smarter construction and considerably more stable than what I had expected. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">We read <a href="http://www.insectlore.com/xinsectucational_stuff/instructions/anthill_instructions.html">all the documentation</a> and carefully clipped out the little section of the manual that needed to be sent back in order to receive the ants. I slipped the paper and a small check into an envelope and smiled. I felt like a kid sending away for a prize featured on the back of an Archie comic. My first gut reaction - annoyance at the archaic system - gave way to that childish glee that I felt as a kid myself when I sent away for stuff. </div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Of course, having to wait two weeks for my ants wasn't nearly as fun. How quickly I've gotten used to next day delivery!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And then the ants came. Two little vials of ants, seriously ticked off about being stuck in little vials, with a note saying that they had to be put in their ant hill as quickly as possible. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">They arrived on a Tuesday evening in the middle of a crazy week filled with early mornings and late nights. For two days I passed the envelope filled with its increasingly frantic ants and felt nothing but guilt about jeopardizing the lives of bugs I would have felt zero qualm about killing had they shown up in my kitchen in any other way. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Finally a quiet evening loomed and I brought the ant hill out of its box. The girls and I huddled around the instructions - which I clearly hadn't read carefully enough the first time around - and realized we should have set everything up as soon as we got the ant hill. I crossed my fingers and poured in the sand and required drops of water. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">After a brief stint in the fridge to stun them, the ants went into their new home sedately and started exploring their new digs. (Pun intented)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hours later, and I really mean hours later, we were all still huddled around the ant hill watching them do their thing. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It's mesmerizing. There's no apparent rhyme or reason. Some ants take sand away, others bring it back. They climb over each other, shove each other out of the way, ignore each other. And yet, when we got up in the morning, a clear tunnel had been dug. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Weeks later the ants are no less mesmerizing. The tunnels have changed and moved in no apparent pattern or for no apparent reason. We haven't figured out why they do what they do, but we are no less drawn to watching them be endlessly busy. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>A few things we've learned about the Insect Lore Ant Hill:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">- Set up the Ant Farm when you send away for your ants so the sand has time to settle. </div><div style="text-align: left;">- When they say a corn nibblet amount of food, they really mean that little. The ants eat microscopic amounts and the rest goes moldy. Ew. </div><div style="text-align: left;">- Ants seem to bury their dead. That's cool. And takes away the worry about wondering what to do with the dead ants. </div><div style="text-align: left;">- You do have to open the ant hill every so often to give them fresh air. They love it. It makes them all perky. But they do try to escape, so ignoring them is not an option. </div><div style="text-align: left;">- It's a lot less gross than you might think - as long as you don't think about the ants as, well, ants.</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Insect Lore Ant Hill Giveaway:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Insect Lore wants you to discover ants up close and personal too! We're giving away two ant hills, one for the winner and one for the winner's child's classroom. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>To enter,</b> simply leave a comment below telling me one thing you've done for your child that grossed you out or that you would never have done in any other circumstance. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Alternative entries:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Visit the <a href="http://www.insectlore.com/">Insect Lore website</a> and leave a comment letting me know what other cool buggy product catches your eye. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Facebook or tweet this giveaway. (Leave a comment with the direct link to your tweet or Facebook post please.)</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strike>Giveaway winner will be chosen on Sunday, Jan 9th at 10pm PST.</strike><br />
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<b>This giveaway is now closed! Thank you to everyone who entered and tweeted it out! </b><br />
<b>Congratulations to <cite class="dsq-comment-cite" id="dsq-cite-103368955"><span id="dsq-author-user-103368955">WWillows6, #42,</span> </cite><span class="dsq-comment-header-time">winner of one Ant Hill for her family and one for her children's classroom! </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-wIVDkiphhvmaD3uUO9bc_-OSp52io_hTVMK-1WlrRBMRKyzXrhK4_P5Z_SPbWKwngwPNVVtwOt24fNZCrtONhqXZMk9hlro1lg6mVBLGIX0C1qwKJpLRE_TcHWTLa3M_AbOU6aFxwcYr/s1600/Insect+Lore+Ant+Hill+Winner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-wIVDkiphhvmaD3uUO9bc_-OSp52io_hTVMK-1WlrRBMRKyzXrhK4_P5Z_SPbWKwngwPNVVtwOt24fNZCrtONhqXZMk9hlro1lg6mVBLGIX0C1qwKJpLRE_TcHWTLa3M_AbOU6aFxwcYr/s1600/Insect+Lore+Ant+Hill+Winner.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="dsq-comment-header-time"><br />
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Did you like this <a href="http://www.roselemonade.blogspot.com/">The Lemonade Stand</a> post?<br />
Don't miss the next one!<a href="http://roselemonade.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss"> Subscribe</a> via my RSS feed. </div>Jessica R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03195009922804434161noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2779229888643981097.post-33119336888478834362010-11-30T22:32:00.000-08:002010-12-04T13:58:12.680-08:00Marie Callender's Multi-serve Bakes - Review and Giveaway<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXITNeBdm5z3jgfcMryR0VKI0EfnHAKxpPwFfxU4sWiJehDECRCsuRtRdxL1hZbJkJr1S8-cI1RJNTgz0XGlk7M6pUVALfcKhQCzs4Qwc7IHehpfsUYOSDJtMGLUhbo2Ef7YZHO6wwBfdO/s1600/Marie+Callenders+MacAndCheese.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXITNeBdm5z3jgfcMryR0VKI0EfnHAKxpPwFfxU4sWiJehDECRCsuRtRdxL1hZbJkJr1S8-cI1RJNTgz0XGlk7M6pUVALfcKhQCzs4Qwc7IHehpfsUYOSDJtMGLUhbo2Ef7YZHO6wwBfdO/s200/Marie+Callenders+MacAndCheese.png" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm a working mom. My husband is a working dad. Between school, daycare, preschool, and our jobs, we're not home a lot during the day which makes getting meals on the table more than just a little challenging some days. We manage to have dinner as a family at least three times a week, but I'll be honest and admit that one of those times is out - usually at a fast food joint. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So when I heard about the new <a href="http://www.mariecallendersmeals.com/family-meals">Marie Callender's bakes</a>, I was not just interested, I was downright intrigued. Good meals that I could microwave and that came with better nutritional stats than our fast food dinners? Sign me up. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">First I sent my husband to the grocery store and he came home with the wrong meals. (Who knew Marie Callender's had so many frozen meal options?) Then I went and surveyed the "bakes" options. The trick, which I did not know when I dispatched my better half, is to look in the family meals section of the freezer aisle, not the single entree section. </div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">I looked at the options offered by our grocery store - I really wanted to try the three meat and four cheese lasagna, but it was not meant to be. Instead I brought home the <a href="http://www.mariecallendersmeals.com/family-meals#/family-meals-mac-and-cheese">Vermont White Cheddar Mac&Cheese</a>. It wouldn't do for a family dinner, but if it meant I could get dinner on the table for the girls in under 10 minutes, it was definitely worth a try. Plus, the box made the Mac&Cheese look both harmless and delicious. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Tonight, at long last, I finally pulled the package from the freezer and popped it in the microwave. 5 minutes later I was drooling as the smell of melted cheese filled the kitchen. Another 4 minutes later and I was pulling dinner out of the microwave. I added some turkey slices and fruit to their plates and served up dinner. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I wish I could tell you that both children fell over themselves as they gorged on mac&cheese. Sadly that wasn't the case. At first I thought it was because I've spoiled my kids with homemade mac&cheese (they won't even eat the stuff out of the box any more...), but after tasting it I understood. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The benign dish pictured on the box had an unexpected kick to it. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I sat down at the table and grabbed a bowl. The cheese was perfectly cheesy and the red pepper flakes gave the creamy noodles a tasty - somewhat more grown-up - twist. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">My own dinner was cooking so I regretfully put down my fork. The kids won't want this dinner again, but I'm putting it on the shopping list for those nights when my husband is out of town I'm so crazed I don't have time to cook a meal for myself. (He doesn't do so well with cheesy dishes...)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Side note: I'm an avid nutritional content checker and this dish compared admirably with other leading brands of frozen mac&cheese. It even bested them in the protein and vitamin department. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Marie Callender's Multi-serve Bakes Giveaway</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Want to try for yourself? You're in luck! I have two sets of Marie Callender's coupons - one free dish and a few discounted dishes - to give away to two lucky readers. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">To enter leave me a comment sharing a quick dinner short-cut that works for you. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Bonus entries: Tweet or Facebook this giveaway. Please be sure to come back and post the direct link to your tweet or Facebook post. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Giveaway will close at 10pm Tuesday, Dec 7th.<br />
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<i>Please note, I was compensated by <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1291499645_0" style="border-bottom: 2px dotted rgb(54, 99, 136); cursor: pointer;">Marie Callender's</span> and TheMotherhood for this post, but all opinions expressed are mine and mine alone. </i><br />
</div>Did you like this <a href="http://www.roselemonade.blogspot.com/">The Lemonade Stand</a> post?<br />
Don't miss the next one!<a href="http://roselemonade.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss"> Subscribe</a> via my RSS feed. </div>Jessica R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03195009922804434161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2779229888643981097.post-28296395646725543242010-11-21T21:27:00.000-08:002010-12-04T13:26:19.452-08:00Petz Fantasy - Moonlight Magic Review<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">This post is part of a sponsored series from Ubisoft, celebrating "12 Days of Giveaways." See below for how you can enter up to 12 times to win fun and family-friendly video games.</span><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003VUL5L4?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003VUL5L4" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiolnf1ah6eI3TIL2AVdyfUVDPPV74Jj_j0GojIgYBRiqtr4qGFd6NX4AWV0yx6ClMKN_8cZtsYBwt0G-1AUa_vgoivwjAT3ukq2R9p3pVI_z89Kvc7PwNGiRbfWQ4M7hTx7VQpV6GuwIO/s200/Petz+Fantasy+Moonlight+Magic.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">I have a love hate relationship with the Nintendo DS. I love playing with it and hate it when the kids play. It's not that I'm loath to share my toy, it's more that neither child can read so I constantly have to stop what I'm doing to read what it says on the screen.</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Since we opened Petz Fantasy, I'm changing my tune. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">First of all, this game is cute. Seriously adorable. The little magic pet makes cute little noises and has a sweet little face. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Second, this game is manageable for my 5yo. She still needs me to read some of the messages, but she can sit and play without needing my help every three seconds. Even better, she's actually having fun! She loves taking care of her little beast and is even tackling the more challenging magical realm games with glee. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">As a mom I'm quite impressed with the different skills she's mastering. Even though her hand/eye coordination is quite good, since she's learning to write, extra practice is never a bad thing. To feed her little pet she has to color in his food being sure to stay within the lines (Harder than it sounds!), to console him she has to burst his tears before they explode. And that's just the start. Each level offers up a new challenge and I, like my daughter, can't wait to see what's next!<br />
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<b>To Purchase Petz Fantasy: </b><br />
Visit <a href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4429327">Toys R Us</a> where you can find it for $29.99. <br />
Visit <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003VUL5L4?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003VUL5L4">Amazon.com</a> where you can also find it for $29.99<br />
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<b>Want to win your own copy of this game? </b><br />
Easy enough!<br />
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Leave a comment below telling my why this game sounds perfect for your child.<br />
Get an extra entry by tweeting or promoting this giveaway on Facebook. Please make sure to come back and leave a comment with a link to your tweet or FB post. <br />
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<strike>Winner will be drawn at 10:00pm Friday, December 3rd and will be announced Saturday, December 4th. </strike><br />
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<b>This giveaway is now closed! Thank you to everyone who entered and tweeted it out! </b><br />
<b>Congratulations to <cite class="dsq-comment-cite" id="dsq-cite-103368955"> <span id="dsq-author-user-103368955">Rhoneygtn, #35,</span> </cite><span class="dsq-comment-header-time">winner of the Petz Fantasy Moonlight Magic game! </span></b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2I3iw6hB95P0ia7JXxJ5PWjRFu0rO8h4GveZsy8xG13GBkEJ3KFX0ZT6S5JtoDrpMs-kZj7J965XRsUxtLof2UNzgQRdL9Jgm6wZrfydSAncP_HLuN2n4vb-l4DLefVk-UgPTC_gEcyBF/s1600/Petz+Fantasy+Moonlight+Magic+Winner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2I3iw6hB95P0ia7JXxJ5PWjRFu0rO8h4GveZsy8xG13GBkEJ3KFX0ZT6S5JtoDrpMs-kZj7J965XRsUxtLof2UNzgQRdL9Jgm6wZrfydSAncP_HLuN2n4vb-l4DLefVk-UgPTC_gEcyBF/s1600/Petz+Fantasy+Moonlight+Magic+Winner.png" /></a></div><span class="dsq-comment-header-time"><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Want more ways to win great games for the whole family? Visit each of these blogs during our 12 Days of Giveaways from now through <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1290402329_4" style="border-bottom: 2px dotted rgb(54, 99, 136); cursor: pointer;">December 3</span>!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I was selected to participate in this sponsored series by</span><a href="http://www.ubi.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Ubisoft</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> and</span><a href="http://www.clevergirlscollective.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Clever Girls Collective</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. I received a video game and compensation for my participation in this program. We believe in</span><a href="http://www.blogwithintegrity.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Blog With Integrity</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Please visit these participating bloggers for more chances to win games, including Just Dance 2 (<span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1290402329_5" style="border-bottom: 2px dotted rgb(54, 99, 136); cursor: pointer;">Wii</span>), Battle of Giants: Dinosaur Strike (Wii), <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1290402329_6">Petz</span> Fantasy (DS) and Petz Nursery (DS)!</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br />
<a href="http://rookiemoms.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Rookie Moms</span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.motherbumper.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">motherbumper</span></a><br />
<a href="http://dadarocks.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">DaDa Rocks</span></a><br />
<a href="http://crashtestmommy.net/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Crash Test Mommy</span></a><br />
<a href="http://scrapsofmygeeklife.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Scraps of My Geek Life</span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.mommieswithstyle.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Mommies With Style</span></a><br />
<a href="http://thefairlyoddmother.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">The Fairly Odd Mother</span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.allthingsfadra.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">All Things Fadra</span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.itsjessicaslife.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></a> <a href="http://momtothescreamingmasses.typepad.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Mom to the Screaming Masses</span></a><br />
<a href="http://beccarama.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Beccarama</span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.romyraves.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Romy Raves</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Did you like this <a href="http://www.roselemonade.blogspot.com/">The Lemonade Stand</a> post?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Don't miss the next one!<a href="http://roselemonade.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss"> Subscribe</a> via my RSS feed. </div>Jessica R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03195009922804434161noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2779229888643981097.post-82335565888211451972010-11-10T22:43:00.000-08:002010-11-15T22:36:40.282-08:00Insect Lore Buzzerks Review and giveaway - Updated with winner!<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 11pt;"></span>I am not a bug lover. To be exact, I'm not a huge fan of anything with wings, bugs don't bother me beyond that. In fact, if I'm honest I find them somewhat fascinating. I often find myself wondering what it would be like to have one day, or one week be a whole lifetime. Then I ponder what it would be like to see the world through a kaleidoscope. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Thanks to the Insect Lore Buzzerks my girls have been able to experience what it's like to "see" the world like an insect. The insect "goggles" - shaped like a fire and, mantis, and hornet - are a fun way to dress up like an insect. A neat lens inside the masks allow the kids to see the world through the multiple "eyes" of an insect.<br />
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C instantly wanted to be a fire-ant, insisting on a full outfit change so she could dress in all red to fully embrace the role. Little L donned the green glasses of the mantis and the two of them crawled around the house all day. It's a nice change from playing princess all day long! Even better, it's led to a lot of fascinating conversations about insects and what life must be like when it only lasts a day or two.<br />
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<b>Insect Lore Buzzerks Giveaway</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">We've been having so much fun with our Buzzerks, we want to share the fun with you!<br />
Insect Lore is giving away two sets of Buzzerks to one lucky winner - one set for your family, one set for your child's class. <br />
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<strike>To win leave a comment below telling me what your child would love about the <a href="http://www.shop-insectlore.com/Insects+Spiders/Buzzerks+Mantis.axd%20">Insect Lore Buzzerks</a> or a funny story about bugs. Giveaway will end Monday, Nov 15th and the winner will be announced at 10pm PST.</strike><br />
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Congratulations! We have a winner! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HSbxqboKNTnt0zHY8DA-4c7NzICoLArueQC5I75ThRf2Malmq4eBXzCrgElNsWE2C_STcnSaaRaDDynxgO_hhgYbj2yd3f342crtaLTrisddXaq1BYIkrJxn6s07FPkgBS7GCiKsUHHU/s1600/Buzzerks+Winner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HSbxqboKNTnt0zHY8DA-4c7NzICoLArueQC5I75ThRf2Malmq4eBXzCrgElNsWE2C_STcnSaaRaDDynxgO_hhgYbj2yd3f342crtaLTrisddXaq1BYIkrJxn6s07FPkgBS7GCiKsUHHU/s1600/Buzzerks+Winner.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Commenter #7 was.... <a href="http://www.notjustaworkingmom.com/">Nicole</a>! Congratulations Nicole! I'll be in touch via email to get your address.<br />
Stay tuned for more exciting Insect Lore giveaways. There's going to be one a month for a whole year!<br />
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</i><br />
<i>I'm participating in a long campaign for Insect Lore. I was sent Buzzerks for review and am being compensated for participating in this campaign. However the thoughts contained in this post are mine and mine alone. Stay tuned to see what else we have in store for you!</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Did you like this <a href="http://www.roselemonade.blogspot.com/">The Lemonade Stand</a> post?<br />
Don't miss the next one!<a href="http://roselemonade.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss"> Subscribe</a> via my RSS feed. </div>Jessica R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03195009922804434161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2779229888643981097.post-4018115217125814992010-11-10T21:58:00.000-08:002010-11-11T08:33:51.012-08:00Disney Mickey Mote Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003ND0AZ6?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003ND0AZ6" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6iuDA2z1Snv9w3YDGNO_z24_P5BtQgxGOU9lqmtbGPMJFpTaUM6uj-3imqLX_6GC27Wbd6d2QBQjwHKq0n5kwAYyvnaLmQ0R6AW-VFtrImVK3ip3K58I4pPDytISQh4QgWlcFe-wcCK4m/s200/Disney+Mickey+Mote.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Kid shows are very inventive when it comes to trying to get children to interact with the action. There are varying degrees of questions and comments directed at the child. Some shows carefully build in "wait time" to give the child a chance to react and answer before the show moves on. But until now, there were few if any shows that put an interactive tool directly in the child's hand.<br />
<br />
I was really excited to receive and test the new <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003ND0AZ6?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003ND0AZ6">Disney Mickey "Mote</a>." I loved the concept from the get go. Anything that can turn a predominantly passive activity into an active thinking one can't be bad.<br />
<br />
First things first though. Before being able to test out the Mickey Mote I had to set it up, which meant I had to find the DVD remote. I located it in the last place I thought to check (<i>The empty packaging for the new TV that was heading to the trash. Thank you Mickey Mote! I would never have searched for it if it weren't for you!</i>) and started the set up.<br />
<br />
I set the two remotes head to head on the floor and followed the instructions carefully, pushing the buttons in order. Clearly I've been working too hard because it took me a good three times to get the set-up right. Had I read the instructions exactly as they were written I would have gotten it right the first time. It really wasn't that hard. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIJYCnnad8fmRn_aYIEoMLNSVT_eY7LnAUHZ4jLeai7Nowdn5yvZbA8llqfRptgyNuWeT9xGQSABsL3oZzY1yAf5OEoN6FwXsFxSoUa5E4cImTLutnw25m8_8v054VCwXZtS-CbBVR_4H4/s1600/DSC_1298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIJYCnnad8fmRn_aYIEoMLNSVT_eY7LnAUHZ4jLeai7Nowdn5yvZbA8llqfRptgyNuWeT9xGQSABsL3oZzY1yAf5OEoN6FwXsFxSoUa5E4cImTLutnw25m8_8v054VCwXZtS-CbBVR_4H4/s320/DSC_1298.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
With the remote set up the girls were ready to play. The timing was perfect, Little L was ready to be set up for her nebulizer treatment. I usually sit with her on the couch to read to her as the medicine does it's thing, tonight I sat her in front of the TV and handed her her Mickey Mote.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1RRKyWkh4Igy4-injeARXMsnmn6COtFbPkpJe-CaDR8OhvgJepdW-t4Ec077EyyPO4mFRIdJHt08kYlwRZa5usvxWZwXI85hz12LMZX0tdvJEmSYpv5oQGeHjRhXSUfL6a1gbOLjo6Gc/s1600/DSC_1301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1RRKyWkh4Igy4-injeARXMsnmn6COtFbPkpJe-CaDR8OhvgJepdW-t4Ec077EyyPO4mFRIdJHt08kYlwRZa5usvxWZwXI85hz12LMZX0tdvJEmSYpv5oQGeHjRhXSUfL6a1gbOLjo6Gc/s320/DSC_1301.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<br />
We're big fans of the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, so they were delighted to see the familiar opening credits, not to say a new episode they'd never seen.<br />
<br />
<b>A few things to note:</b><br />
The Mickey Mote doesn't come into play during the usual episode. You have to select the bonus material to have access to the interactive portion of the DVD. For a child who's been handed a fun red remote, it can be a bit hard to be patient until playtime starts. Even if you go straight to the interactive section, there's still a bit of wait time before the questions start. <br />
<br />
The first level of play was perfect for my 3-year-old. She was able to easily answer the questions, but they made her think. The second level of play was a bit easy for the 5-year-old, though she did enjoy the interactivity.<br />
<br />
All in all I'm a fan of the Mickey Mote. I like the fact that it teaches the children to be active observant viewers. I wish the integration of the interactive parts was a bit less choppy and a bit more seamless. But all in all, this is a nice little product that will entertain preschoolers and help them feel like they're part of the action.<br />
<br />
<i>I received a copy of the Disney Mickey Mote and an extra DVD for review. I received no other form of compensation. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are mine and mine alone. </i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
Did you like this <a href="http://www.roselemonade.blogspot.com/">The Lemonade Stand</a> post?<br />
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<span class="status">3SG2U3C3EGAB</span></div>Jessica R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03195009922804434161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2779229888643981097.post-60582229156007016822010-10-28T22:38:00.000-07:002010-10-29T09:08:52.597-07:00Eddie Bauer Yukon Classic Down Jacket - Review<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmn2c0WtF3to8Kca4WjLzrTYgQ1wtiFPUt9wiVc6-ub7pDgEw51jxYRKrboD96UIp-GLkVN-dlW2zcX6DZRH4M5yWRj6SjtQIIsPmJoDDNbOy3PqEgAxf4UazSy5d48hQXVYf7UgMxWj8/s1600/EddieBauer+Yukon-red.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmn2c0WtF3to8Kca4WjLzrTYgQ1wtiFPUt9wiVc6-ub7pDgEw51jxYRKrboD96UIp-GLkVN-dlW2zcX6DZRH4M5yWRj6SjtQIIsPmJoDDNbOy3PqEgAxf4UazSy5d48hQXVYf7UgMxWj8/s200/EddieBauer+Yukon-red.jpg" width="162" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I live in California. Let me start with that. So when my new BFF at <a href="http://www.eddiebauer.com/">Eddie Bauer</a> reached out to me to ask me to review a down jacket, I balked. I usually get by with wearing various sweaters and fleece jackets except for the couple days we spend in Lake Tahoe every Thanksgiving and the week we spend out East with my sister and her family when Christmas rolls around. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">But my new friend convinced me that the <a href="http://www.eddiebauer.com/catalog/product.jsp?ensembleId=38070&&categoryId=161&categoryName=DOWN-OUTERWEAR--JACKETS&pCategoryId=27301&pCategoryName=WOMENS-OUTERWEAR&gpCategoryId=1&gpCategoryName=EB&catPath=%7E%7EcategoryId=161%7E%7EcategoryName=DOWN-OUTERWEAR--JACKETS%7E%7EpCategoryId=27301%7E%7EpCategoryName=WOMENS-OUTERWEAR%7E%7EgpCategoryId=1%7E%7EgpCategoryName=EB&viewAll=y">Yukon Classic Down Jacket</a>, while being rated for temps all the way down to 0F, wasn't too warm for more chilly California nights. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I bit and ordered it in red. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Back in college I bought myself a bright pink <i>very </i>puffy down jacket. I loved everything about that jacket except for the fact that my school friends promptly nicknamed me The Raspberry. When I put it on I felt cozy, warm, and just plain comforted. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">My <a href="http://www.eddiebauer.com/catalog/product.jsp?ensembleId=38070&&categoryId=161&categoryName=DOWN-OUTERWEAR--JACKETS&pCategoryId=27301&pCategoryName=WOMENS-OUTERWEAR&gpCategoryId=1&gpCategoryName=EB&catPath=%7E%7EcategoryId=161%7E%7EcategoryName=DOWN-OUTERWEAR--JACKETS%7E%7EpCategoryId=27301%7E%7EpCategoryName=WOMENS-OUTERWEAR%7E%7EgpCategoryId=1%7E%7EgpCategoryName=EB&viewAll=y">Eddie Bauer Yukon Classic Down Jacket</a> brought back that exact same feeling... without the unpleasant nickname. The fleece lined collar and cuffs are extra soft and the down is warm without being unflatteringly puffy. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It's the middle of October and I've already worn my jacket twice. And no, I haven't been out East or up to Tahoe. It's a light enough jacket to work for the cooler CA temps, but I'll also definitely be packing it when we head to the snow. Like all of my other Eddie Bauer duds (pretty much my entire closet...) I love that it's classy, fashionable, but utterly comfortable and functional. Plus, you know, should I ever be caught out in almost sub-zero degree weather, I'll be warm and toasty. Though I better not, I do live in California for a reason after all, namely because I enjoy not being cold. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1777056655"><br />
</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.eddiebauer.com/catalog/product.jsp?ensembleId=38070&&categoryId=161&categoryName=DOWN-OUTERWEAR--JACKETS&pCategoryId=27301&pCategoryName=WOMENS-OUTERWEAR&gpCategoryId=1&gpCategoryName=EB&catPath=%7E%7EcategoryId=161%7E%7EcategoryName=DOWN-OUTERWEAR--JACKETS%7E%7EpCategoryId=27301%7E%7EpCategoryName=WOMENS-OUTERWEAR%7E%7EgpCategoryId=1%7E%7EgpCategoryName=EB&viewAll=y">The Yukon Classic</a> retails for $129-139, but right now <a href="http://www.eddiebauer.com/">Eddie Bauer</a> is having their 70th Annual Down Sale and the jacket is $40 off until 11/7. It's an unbeatable deal for a jacket you'll have for years.<br />
<br />
<i>Just so you know, I was sent a jacket for review purposes, but I was not compensated in any other way to write this post. All opinions expressed here are mine and mine alone. I adore Eddie Bauer and will happily model for you whatever I'm wearing when we meet. 99% guaranteed it'll be from there. </i></div><br />
Did you like this <a href="http://www.roselemonade.blogspot.com/">The Lemonade Stand</a> post?<br />
Don't miss the next one!<a href="http://roselemonade.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss"> Subscribe</a> via my RSS feed. </div>Jessica R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03195009922804434161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2779229888643981097.post-45607864607327536932010-10-21T19:37:00.000-07:002010-10-21T19:37:23.897-07:00Not too late for Bay Area Disney on Ice Tickets<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://disney.go.com/disneyonice/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMEpG4NBBQ4A4oh4XmZdKMVrEExErZZ6_NQ4IY2cBECyKG6k27IH5mEl7WlVnSN_QLRE5UprW-1FLkr39ygewIYlqvrsS8_1vhJVdYf1MTqdG1mio3l7CwTq6gWA8ExMRF4-yKNh9VjHz/s1600/Disney+on+Ice.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://disney.go.com/disneyonice/">Disney on Ice</a> opened at HP Pavilion tonight, but it's not too late to get tickets for tomorrow or this weekend!</div><div style="text-align: left;">(Not in the Bay Area? <a href="http://disney.go.com/disneyonice/">Get the full Disney on Ice show details and tour listings here</a>.<br />
<br />
Disney On Ice presents Mickey and Minnie's Magical Journey<br />
HP Pavilion at San Jose-October 20-24<br />
<br />
Special Offer!</div><div style="text-align: left;">WEEKDAY SHOWS-Purchase a 4-pack of tickets for only $44 (not valid for FR/ VIP seating); redemption code: MOM<br />
WEEKEND SHOWS-$5 off tickets to all performances (not valid for FR/ VIP seating); <br />
<br />
Use code: MAGIC at <a href="http://www.ticketmaster.com/promo/ajyhf0">http://www.ticketmaster.com/promo/ajyhf0</a> to get the discount.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
There are two shows tomorrow (Matinee and evening) and three shows each day this weekend.<br />
<br />
So grab those princess dresses and come on! We've been to two Disney on Ice shows and I've been beyond impressed by how much fun they really are. Even my daughter who swears she'll never go to Disney Land because she's scared of Mickey, adores going to these presentations. Frankly, I always have fun too! Plus, there's truly something special about seeing a sea of little girls in their princess finery!</div><br />
Did you like this <a href="http://www.roselemonade.blogspot.com/">The Lemonade Stand</a> post?<br />
Don't miss the next one!<a href="http://roselemonade.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss"> Subscribe</a> via my RSS feed. </div>Jessica R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03195009922804434161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2779229888643981097.post-10534789448861899152010-07-28T23:56:00.000-07:002010-09-26T12:42:11.459-07:00Pop on Pals Review<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.accesspr.com/pr2.html" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbgD86bGgL-5pl_ZaPndVf60RCjxzZ8GFh4ErtiiCp8MiTawSIKlNjp3_hRtjljo73Z5Ul6HK1BQswpYC1V9buppiVjE27V2hqfJCkBWh44oEPDSEbkHY68TrPZQsaj9agiCsZ-kLjIE7/s200/Pop+on+Pals+playset.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">When the package came in the mail I was intrigued and then, I'll admit it, a bit disappointed. When I'd learned about <a href="http://www.poponpals.com/">Pop on Pals</a> I'd had great hopes for the product. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The concept - characters with interchangeable body parts seemed like it might foster great imaginative play and jump start some fun story telling.<br />
<br />
When I took the toy out of the box I was dismayed to see that the construction wasn't as sturdy as I would have hoped for a toddler toy and I was a bit sad to see that the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0038OMF2G?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0038OMF2G">Amusement Park</a> kit only contained one little person. I was prepared to watch the girls give it a once over and walk away.<br />
<br />
Turns out I was wrong. Over the last few days this toy has been the focus of their play time. They send the roller coaster car speeding down the ramp, take the little girl for a ride in the ferris wheel, and since there is only the one little girl, they add toys from other lines to make the play more fun. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
I had thought that changing the little girl's arms around would have been what they found most fun, but the arms have been set aside and they've been mostly focused on imaginative play with the girl. Not a bad thing at all! I can't help but wonder if having another set of people with removable parts might change their focus though.<br />
<br />
<b>Pop on Pals Pros:</b><br />
- Cute, engaging toy.<br />
- Music is tolerable. (We have a <i>lot </i>of toys that play really annoying music. This one I can handle.) <br />
- Affordable - the big <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0038OMF2G?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0038OMF2G">amusement park kit</a> runs around $40. <br />
- More fun than I imagined!<br />
- Very cute website <a href="http://poponpals.com/">poponpals.com</a> where little kids can do a little coloring and everyone can discover the full Pop on Pals line.<br />
<br />
<b>Pop on Pals Cons:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">- The construction doesn't seem sturdy enough to withstand tough toddler play. <br />
- Need a second set of people to make it really fun.<br />
- Not quite readily available yet, though it's coming soon!<br />
<br />
All in all, a fun toy to consider for your bigger and not too <i>rough </i>toddler or preschooler.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Please note, I did receive a Pop on Pals for review, but I was not otherwise compensated for this post. The opinions are mine and mine alone.</i> </div></div><br />
Did you like this <a href="http://www.roselemonade.blogspot.com/">The Lemonade Stand</a> post?<br />
Don't miss the next one!<a href="http://roselemonade.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss"> Subscribe</a> via my RSS feed. </div>Jessica R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03195009922804434161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2779229888643981097.post-18817784509422413842010-07-02T12:41:00.000-07:002010-07-02T12:41:47.183-07:00Parent's Night Out deal for Bay Area Peeps<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.juiceinthecity.com/markets/sf-bay-area/deals" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1-lzOsBOY0qKkPM9SHKGOW3dQgg4lIYoLWQYoKSWiIf0ZGj_Ao4YoYPQBP6Po21f2nh48l6mrLbDAWTFFT50vDPgf8d5eggkx9U-u9ie4rFTFtyv_RVGqBivUCdzbSpykf_eEVXoSsDl/s200/jitc_logo-1.png" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Some nights you just can't get a sitter and you still really need to get out. This weekend the brand new and awesome Juice in the City (Your daily kick in the pants (to go have fun!)) has paired up with <a href="http://cubes.otcsf.com/">Cubes&Crayons</a> to allow you to do just that. </div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
Drop your pajama clad kids off in the snazzy Mountain View <a href="http://cubes.otcsf.com/">Cubes&Crayons</a> for a few hours of fun and entertainment while you and whoever you chose to be with scamper off to go have some fun on the nearby Castro Street. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
Hurry, the deal ends at the end of the weekend and you're not going to want to miss <a href="http://www.juiceinthecity.com/markets/sf-bay-area/deals">this 1/2 off offer</a>.<br />
<br />
<i>This not the deal for you? Subscribe to the <a href="http://www.juiceinthecity.com/">Juice in the City</a> newsletter so you can see all the other deals that will be offered! Not a local? Check it out anyway. New cities coming very soon!</i></div><br />
Did you like this <a href="http://www.roselemonade.blogspot.com/">The Lemonade Stand</a> post?<br />
Don't miss the next one!<a href="http://roselemonade.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss"> Subscribe</a> via my RSS feed. </div>Jessica R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03195009922804434161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2779229888643981097.post-6613471618552315882010-05-31T23:04:00.000-07:002010-05-31T23:04:56.155-07:00Vtech Mobigo Review<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOrtdVJELKZTE45xnelJvJP8aqxe2OOi14YnB-kTwqTjE87b1W-7vsQnvmKiZU-4mqZMz2ZfviIXqOvwyODSeC6MQRv6-Baf1hUxbMdvvoSiGaOq0R4-OybVYeC21V0DAcAFi9RX4UteU/s1600/DSC_1070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOrtdVJELKZTE45xnelJvJP8aqxe2OOi14YnB-kTwqTjE87b1W-7vsQnvmKiZU-4mqZMz2ZfviIXqOvwyODSeC6MQRv6-Baf1hUxbMdvvoSiGaOq0R4-OybVYeC21V0DAcAFi9RX4UteU/s200/DSC_1070.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I have always been skeptical of gaming consoles for kids. They're either too complicated (which leads to crying) or too simplistic (which leads to boredom). I have seen kids (and adults) addicted to the Nintendo DS and Sony's PSP as well as other gaming systems which are great fun, but really fail when it comes to education. Frankly, I thought no one could get the right mix of playability and education into one box. And then we tried the <a href="http://www.vtechkids.com/mobigo/">MobiGo by Vtech</a>.<br />
<br />
Let me begin by voicing loudly my biggest complaint. We were only provided one MobiGo to review and now my kids (5 and almost 3) fight constantly to play with it. In the last three days the MobiGo has had to go in time out a good five times while they figure out how to take turns.<br />
<br />
At first glance the MobiGo seems like all other portable electronic gaming systems. It's got a 4-directional button on the left, a screen in the middle, and a big button on the right. It's got a cartridge on the top. Seen it. Done it. Yawn.<br />
<br />
Ok, fine. So I plug in the "Touch & Learn" cartridge and turn on the thing. It wants you to put in your name. Seen that before too, right? Oh wait the whole screen flips up to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard! (Those who play with a Sidekick or other flip phones know what I'm talking about). OK that's pretty cool, but come on my kids are 5 and 2. Seemed a little excessive for me at first. But I'll get back to that later.</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3lEOjy4bgGzby6NmypLVAkSA-QQSpPJRvbY8vthVgPGAOzHW16SBkthpWdKs4jIBttUArEhQz1BG_iOLZIUtXcdqRpp9tb2hpey_zwb5TZyAeJzzkKzS0qzLYM3Hz2l6LUpOtqx_Tbykd/s1600/MobiGo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3lEOjy4bgGzby6NmypLVAkSA-QQSpPJRvbY8vthVgPGAOzHW16SBkthpWdKs4jIBttUArEhQz1BG_iOLZIUtXcdqRpp9tb2hpey_zwb5TZyAeJzzkKzS0qzLYM3Hz2l6LUpOtqx_Tbykd/s200/MobiGo.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">So then I get to select different games to play from the Touch & Learn cartridge. I can immediately tell there are letter games, number games, and other games to try out (actually 6 games in all). I tried to select one with the directional button but it didn't work. I have an iPod Touch, so my instinct was to touch the screen. It worked! The entire screen is touch sensitive! It turns out that (duh) the Touch & Learn cartridge relies heavily on the touch screen. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOcayeyCCKAnS_6DKEGMp9iYGBJE-kF9BK5sojcTef1oclqLasRN6kC4lx6LKhRfSdX0jKZ5QNbyqPGV-pbYnBsgbu9gmTxwR7wSyzwrpzqeHYxmuGvkaRSqBQ-6IRR9_cSHKxLDKapqnH/s1600/DSC_1068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOcayeyCCKAnS_6DKEGMp9iYGBJE-kF9BK5sojcTef1oclqLasRN6kC4lx6LKhRfSdX0jKZ5QNbyqPGV-pbYnBsgbu9gmTxwR7wSyzwrpzqeHYxmuGvkaRSqBQ-6IRR9_cSHKxLDKapqnH/s200/DSC_1068.JPG" width="133" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
So the technology is there, but I was still skeptical about playability and educational value. I tried out what I call the "Squirrel game" first. In this game you simply use the touch screen to help a squirrel get nuts. The game directs you to basically connect the dots to move the squirrel. Pretty simple, but very intuitive especially for a 2 or 3 year old. The graphics are fantastic and the squirrel makes a cute noise every time he reaches a nut.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgKxOox5M5RCImuPDUKcm1zN6HacC-f66s7mUn-1lLZi70wvjW_R-ZEw4ITuVDoAQ41KBi5MhXYVGSWvBHd2PmiNoFfAyZwedRuVlaK_H0gcmVSPA9eWZJTEHAoL71aGrbUld8rH5aEXu/s1600/DSC_1067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgKxOox5M5RCImuPDUKcm1zN6HacC-f66s7mUn-1lLZi70wvjW_R-ZEw4ITuVDoAQ41KBi5MhXYVGSWvBHd2PmiNoFfAyZwedRuVlaK_H0gcmVSPA9eWZJTEHAoL71aGrbUld8rH5aEXu/s200/DSC_1067.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
I moved on to the letter game. The goal of this game is to shoot rubber ducks with a water gun. Each duck has a letter on it and you shoot by finding the letter on the QWERTY keyboard. This is great! After about 10 minutes my 5 year old had a pretty good grasp of the location of many of the letters on the QWERTY keyboard. This game was actually both fun and educational. My 5 year old was reviewing her letters and was learning about the QWERTY keyboard all while being sucked into the fun graphics. <br />
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I like music so I had to try the music game. I was shocked to realize that this was Rock Band/Guitar Hero for little kids (except instead of Megadeath, you play Oh, Susanna). The guitar (or more aptly ukulele) has only four strings and a little note falls down each string for you to "pluck" it at the right moment. Brilliant! As I played more, the sophistication of the system revealed itself and you can also play piano and drums. <br />
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OK the technology is great, the games are fun and educational, but my last concern was would it hold the kids' attention for more than a day. Each game has an "easy" or "difficult" mode. The "Easy" level was easy for my 5 year old on some games (the squirrel game) and adequate on others (like the letter and number games). If you do well on the easy level, then you're invited to play the difficult level. Frankly, the games are so much fun that both kids are still having a great time and my 5 year old is really learning her keyboard. She's even making distinct progress with her numbers, something we only recently realized she needed to work on. <br />
<br />
The system is marked as being good for kids to 3-8-year-olds. The "Touch & Learn" cartridge supplied with the console won't keep the attention of the older kids for long, but VTech is releasing a large array of affordable games ($20 or so) to go with the console.We only played with the original cartridge which didn't use any of the directional buttons on the console, but we're beyond impressed with the technology and functionality of the system and we can't wait to test out some of the other games. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So, in short, great game console with amazing potential. I love the fact that some of the mini-games are harder than others so that the kids have something easy to fall back on when they get frustrated with the more challenging tasks. The fact that they've still gone back to try the more challenging tasks after speaks volumes. The fact that they haven't stopped playing for the last three days and have made noticeable progress with numbers, letters, and problem solving speaks even higher to the quality of the educational content of this game system. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Pre-purchase the <a href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=thelemsta-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=B00385QUTO">MobiGo at Amazon</a> for $59.99. (Release date is supposed to be June 7th, though the date there says July 1st.) </div><div style="text-align: left;">Or Purchase the <a href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4023473">MobiGo at ToysRUs</a> now for $59.99 and <a href="http://www.toysrus.com/search/index.jsp?kwCatId=&kw=mobigo&origkw=Mobigo&f=Taxonomy/TRUS/2254197&sr=1">games for around $20</a>. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Please note, I did receive a MobiGo console from <a href="http://www.vtechkids.com/">VTech</a> for review (and we get to keep it thank goodness or there would be a mutiny) however the opinions contained in this post are mine and mine alone, except for the parts written by my husband who was so taken with the device that he felt the need to write this review. His opinions are his and his alone too. </i></div><br />
Did you like this <a href="http://www.roselemonade.blogspot.com/">The Lemonade Stand</a> post?<br />
Don't miss the next one!<a href="http://roselemonade.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss"> Subscribe</a> via my RSS feed. </div>Jessica R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03195009922804434161noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2779229888643981097.post-10970352597974977772010-05-17T22:29:00.000-07:002010-05-17T22:29:00.668-07:00Dance your way to Paris! Just Dance Contest (Deadline looming!)<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">I miss my home town more than you could imagine, and if I could dance at all I'd be first to participate in this contest. But since I can't dance to save my life, you'll have to go eat some crepes and say hi to my friends for me. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">What am I talking about? Why the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/justdancegame?ref=ts&v=app_119711921388589">Just Dance Talent Search</a>! That's what! </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Oh fine, just read on. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">HOW TO ENTER:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Do you love to Just Dance? Here's YOUR chance to win a trip to Paris to choreograph a dance and to star in the next version of Just Dance!<br />
<br />
Grand Prize<br />
· A trip to PARIS! Just Dance will send you and a friend to Paris. (<i>I could be your friend! hint... hint...</i>)<br />
· Become a professional choreographer! Work with the developers of the next version of Just Dance at the Ubisoft studios for 2 days to integrate YOUR moves into the game!<br />
· Star in the game! You will be transformed into a Just Dance character and star as the guest choreographer in the next version of Just Dance!<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Enter now and YOUR moves could inspire millions...<br />
<br />
Here's how to enter<br />
1. Choose a Song from the list below:<br />
a. 'Proud Mary' by Ike and Tina Turner<br />
b. 'When I Grow Up' by Pussycat Dolls<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">2. Film yourself dancing to at least 60 seconds of the song<br />
a. Choreograph an original dance! Dance should be for all skill levels and FUN FUN FUN!!<br />
b. You must dance solo, there is no group prize.<br />
c. Be sure to film your entire body, we want to see all your moves!<br />
<br />
3. Upload your video to YouTube and submit your YouTube link via the "Submit Your Video" button <a href="http://www.facebook.com/justdancegame?ref=ts&v=app_119711921388589">here</a>.<br />
<br />
4. Fill in all your information on the registration form found <a href="http://www.facebook.com/justdancegame?ref=ts&v=app_119711921388589">here</a>.<br />
<br />
5. Check back often and get your friends to vote for you! The winner will be announced on Monday, May 24th so make sure to submit your video and get your votes in before then!</div><br />
Did you like this <a href="http://www.roselemonade.blogspot.com/">The Lemonade Stand</a> post?<br />
Don't miss the next one!<a href="http://roselemonade.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss"> Subscribe</a> via my RSS feed. </div>Jessica R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03195009922804434161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2779229888643981097.post-10021693964397659632010-05-02T21:58:00.000-07:002010-05-03T10:40:02.834-07:00Frap-it-your-way! However-You-Want-It Frappuccinos at Starbucks starting today<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.starbucks.com/menu/drinks/frappuccino-blended-beverages/double-chocolaty-chip-frappuccino-blended-creme?foodZone=9999" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVnI8ADH04_DNDBbFWmzR3C4QazyFXINGJ4QBdIRXw3zy0nTCjeDEZpFe7olPtYcvojlHgjnD99_AoTO2NtVYV4mb3ALkuPrrKK_chJZPWRPDoQdxUUjg6DCi9l6TlJhqCO2GeZbSefxE/s320/Double+Chocolaty+Chip+Frap.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Did you know that at Starbucks there are 87,000 ways to create your Latte? If that wasn't enough, starting tomorrow, Tuesday, May 4th, you'll also be able to have 87,000 ways to create your Frappuccino. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Now, personally, I'm a simple coffee girl. I like drip coffee, hot old cold, maybe with a splash of cream, and a dash of sugar, but even I had a blast designing my own Frappuccino. (For the record I went with White Chocolate, whole milk, decaf, with a Cinnamon Dolce topping. It was yum. And I don't want to know how many calories were in it. <i>Thankyouverymuch</i>.)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The long and short of it is that now you'll essentially be able to have whatever you want blended into a delightful cold frothy drink - from the 100 cal tall Skinny Frap to the please-don't-tell-me cal anything you want in a cup.<br />
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Worried you won't find what you like? Not a fan of coffee coffee? No worries. They have you covered. <br />
Strawberries & Creme, Vanilla Bean, Chai, Green Tea, Double Chocolaty Chip, Mocha, Toffee Nut, Peppermint, Raspberry, Caramel, Hazelnut, Cinnamon Dolce. And I haven't even covered the toppings! I'll let you discover those for yourself. <br />
<br />
But my favorite part in all this? Brand new, state of the art blenders that blend faster, smoother, and way, <i>way</i> quieter. <br />
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Good thing the weather is finally warming up. There are quite a few Frappuccinos for you to go try out.<br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Note: I was not paid to tell you any of this. I did receive a free Frappuccino and a coolio cup to take it home in. I'm just a big fan of the old <a href="https://www.starbucks.com/">Starbucks</a>. Especially since they let me sit around all morning and work on <a href="http://www.itsjessicaslife.com/2010/04/novel-chapter-one.html">my book</a> there. Thus the excitement about the new quiet blenders. See? It all ties in somehow. </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Did you like this <a href="http://www.roselemonade.blogspot.com/">The Lemonade Stand</a> post?<br />
Don't miss the next one!<a href="http://roselemonade.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss"> Subscribe</a> via my RSS feed. </div>Jessica R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03195009922804434161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2779229888643981097.post-4387953024777616672010-04-26T12:17:00.000-07:002010-04-26T12:17:54.817-07:00Pierre the Penguin and his Neoprene Suit - Book review<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1585364851?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1585364851" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxNqrZ37mBZ44iYs0MD1Q4PCqWH7wsJt1buJlY3abuSaBf4tlNCgSb_sfOAxkMTYfRq8Dslo-orvpQdZ2JDCQPGcfuUz-mx6hXSysAOz7LS_HCn-PY3K55dn8VfyOo0YyWwhsadZOtCPFh/s200/06_book_cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">One day, a penguin who had been happy and healthy for years, suddenly started losing his feathers. Instead of regrowing the way African Penguin's feathers usually regrow when they molt, his didn't, leaving him looking like the ugly duckling of the flock. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Other penguins picked on him as he shivered and found himself unable to swim. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">But don't worry, this story has a very happy ending!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">See, Pamela Schaller, biologist at the California Academy of Sciences, Pierre's home, found a way to help poor little Pierre.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">She designed a teeny tiny wet suit for the little penguin. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjoGCb5OnG9BsmCrAABwiYR9shnVjz5N32jMagyhcPYjn5fXFOQLl2-KIIz1o1aUJ6gT6MzzKhAnEdPDN7CgQ9IXu8SMSnVbsmJv7mw9nlGjhJM0nPRKS0N9St66U9MgKqCzdv5jY9qK0T/s1600/02_Pierre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjoGCb5OnG9BsmCrAABwiYR9shnVjz5N32jMagyhcPYjn5fXFOQLl2-KIIz1o1aUJ6gT6MzzKhAnEdPDN7CgQ9IXu8SMSnVbsmJv7mw9nlGjhJM0nPRKS0N9St66U9MgKqCzdv5jY9qK0T/s320/02_Pierre.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The wet suit allowed Pierre to start swimming again and kept him nice and warm both on land and in the water. The other penguins stopped picking on him and life went back to normal, so much so that his real feathers started to grow again.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpic85uBYESnQwiS5sLzuwd6A362OLncarAyIbz0SY9IWzzhOvsYKn9UFsNjtnuzsCL8XemY6WXue47xyjFOu4jwXwpXDBSWLF2oX3I1Gp0XtDAXo8E6NR5fM-WPBEM9fK-h_1_DbCh26/s1600/04_Pam_with_penguins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpic85uBYESnQwiS5sLzuwd6A362OLncarAyIbz0SY9IWzzhOvsYKn9UFsNjtnuzsCL8XemY6WXue47xyjFOu4jwXwpXDBSWLF2oX3I1Gp0XtDAXo8E6NR5fM-WPBEM9fK-h_1_DbCh26/s320/04_Pam_with_penguins.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Today Pierre is living happily with his mate Honey at the brand new California Academy of Sciences, surrounded by the rest of his friends and family. And thanks to Jean Marzollo and Laura Regan, who were inspired by his plight and wrote a delightful children's book, aptly named <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1585364851?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1585364851">Pierre the Penguin</a>, kids around the world will be able to learn all about him and his teeny tiny wetsuit.<br />
<br />
We got the book yesterday and C and Little L have already read it multiple times. Today C is even bringing it to school to show her friends and teachers. Pierre's story is a really inspiring tale about being different, about helping those in need, and really about enduring love. I think it will be in a favorite in our library for a long, long time!</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><br />
Did you like this <a href="http://www.roselemonade.blogspot.com/">The Lemonade Stand</a> post?<br />
Don't miss the next one!<a href="http://roselemonade.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss"> Subscribe</a> via my RSS feed. </div>Jessica R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03195009922804434161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2779229888643981097.post-77993707260458497712010-04-15T22:48:00.000-07:002010-04-15T22:48:02.407-07:00Free Planet Earth Episode on iTunes for Earth Day<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjNn-xR3mW1x7Q8quEHTmIbtujWCcM3lmrE3H-yAwUk9DEsdb5oVuW__LNiH0v-Yr4uV6lmiBeKjXwIS7w1epKI1F76ye_l5qMuIIP89eQd-bhbxzX63ktU43LVnyPIZoKQxTRnGBiyfm/s1600/planetearthcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjNn-xR3mW1x7Q8quEHTmIbtujWCcM3lmrE3H-yAwUk9DEsdb5oVuW__LNiH0v-Yr4uV6lmiBeKjXwIS7w1epKI1F76ye_l5qMuIIP89eQd-bhbxzX63ktU43LVnyPIZoKQxTRnGBiyfm/s200/planetearthcover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">We have owned the <a href="http://amzn.to/cQ3mkn">Planet Earth DVDs</a> for years now, we love watching the incredible footage taken of the most remote places on the planet. It's somehow both incredibly soothing and inspiring to watch the most hidden parts of the world unfold in front of your very eyes. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">My favorite parts of the DVDs happen to be the "making off" sections which never fail to blow me away. You know that penguin movie? People filmed that stuff. For months. In the <i>cold</i>. Think of that next time you're unhappy because it's 40F or something near home. <i>Brrr</i>.<br />
<br />
But don't worry, you don't have to take my word for it. In honor of Earth Day you can <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewTVSeason?id=285558902&s=143441">download your very own episode on iTunes</a> and take the show for a spin.The show will be available for free download from now until April 26th, so hurry!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-tWtsUNIa5QVX-2-BNA6X4UuSiLey0GwiUN8Mk_rjwckJ-UaYUJFAwnCtdtH7bgTYu0k_azc4AqWu9k1mi4fQIK2Xz5Tttv0x-BAFTBlPZ3nPro-LE5iqMFxI03Sg3SZzioSih6c23rr/s1600/Funny+Bird+Planet+Earth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-tWtsUNIa5QVX-2-BNA6X4UuSiLey0GwiUN8Mk_rjwckJ-UaYUJFAwnCtdtH7bgTYu0k_azc4AqWu9k1mi4fQIK2Xz5Tttv0x-BAFTBlPZ3nPro-LE5iqMFxI03Sg3SZzioSih6c23rr/s320/Funny+Bird+Planet+Earth.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Funny bird! Love him! (And I <i>hate </i>all birds.)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">I hope you fall in love with this series too. Our planet is precious and if it takes shows like <a href="http://amzn.to/cd8dro">Planet Earth</a>, or <a href="http://amzn.to/cWnlWv">Blue Planet</a> to make us remember that then so be it! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here's a sneak preview! How cute are these two?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FMRQkruTFDQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FMRQkruTFDQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br />
<br />
Did you like this <a href="http://www.roselemonade.blogspot.com/">The Lemonade Stand</a> post?<br />
Don't miss the next one!<a href="http://roselemonade.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss"> Subscribe</a> via my RSS feed.</div>Jessica R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03195009922804434161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2779229888643981097.post-26244815544148790342010-03-19T12:08:00.000-07:002010-03-19T12:08:23.062-07:00American Baby Photo Contest! Not too late to enter!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUzzE3DvNO8IJKrC1XRrqTnkVweFv6OVYQZenx8DGuAIHWqBXk8eHcp0KN1Ryp-2t_1C4x6siUAOR3d6F05UZ2wxik2dYZWTpAHFuqk61dIPwOyjygCfUbeyjFVqNPJczCM1riMqb1fAl/s1600-h/DSC_0103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUzzE3DvNO8IJKrC1XRrqTnkVweFv6OVYQZenx8DGuAIHWqBXk8eHcp0KN1Ryp-2t_1C4x6siUAOR3d6F05UZ2wxik2dYZWTpAHFuqk61dIPwOyjygCfUbeyjFVqNPJczCM1riMqb1fAl/s200/DSC_0103.JPG" width="133" /></a></div>Nothing makes me want to grab my camera more than sunshine filtering through leaves while my kids are rolling around playing on the grass. Luckily for me, Spring is just a day away and the sun has shown up right on time!<br />
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Unfortunately for me my kids are too old to be entered in <span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.americanbaby.com/covermodel" rel="follow" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1269024104_9">The American Baby photo contest.</span></a></span> (<i>The photo to the left was taken two summers ago. Oh... my baaabeeee... she has gotten so big since then!</i>)<br />
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Yours might not be though!<br />
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The deadline for contest entry is March 31. Ages of the kids have to be between three months and 24 months as of the date of entry. The grand prize winner will be featured on the cover of the August issue of American Baby.<br />
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Come on. Admit that you've always believed that your baby could be a cover model! This is your big chance to see that dream come true!<br />
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Parents can visit the American Baby website to see a list of the most <a href="http://www.parents.com/kids/style/modeling/american-baby-cover-contest-faq/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1269024104_10">frequently asked questions</span></a>. One question that always comes up is how are the winners picked, and it’s no secret! It’s one-third the child’s appearance, one-third the child’s personality as reflected in the photo, and one-third the quality of the photo. The best thing parents can do is just upload what they think are the most compelling photos of their little one. Feel free to check out the official <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1269024104_11">American Baby contest</span> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBpAZJVW970" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1269024104_12">video</span></a> to learn more.<br />
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The great folks at American Baby have a few suggestions for how to capture the perfect shot:<br />
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<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal">Remember how professionals get all those gorgeous shots? They take lots and lots of shots to get that one good one, so take a ton of photos.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Photo judges don’t really take to cranky babies, so capture your child in a happy moment – not too posed – so it reflects your baby’s personality.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Don’t cover up the beautiful little one – no big hats or towels, just the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1269024104_1" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;">cute baby</span> will do fine!</li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span>Simple backgrounds are best. Try to remove clutter so that the focus of the picture is your <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1269024104_2" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;">adorable baby</span>.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Often times the best shots are taken spontaneously, so keep your camera handy during this period.</li>
</ol>Want some more advice on how to take great pictures of your kids - for the contest and for yourself? Check out this blog post I wrote on the <a href="http://blog.tinyprints.com/">Tiny Prints blog</a> back in November: <a href="http://blog.tinyprints.com/holiday/mom-talk-tips-for-taking-great-pictures-of-your-kids/">Tips for taking great pictures of your kids</a>.<br />
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What are you waiting for? Go forth and take gorgeous pictures of your babies!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Did you like this <a href="http://www.roselemonade.blogspot.com/">The Lemonade Stand</a> post?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Don't miss the next one!<a href="http://roselemonade.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss"> Subscribe</a> via my RSS feed.</div>Jessica R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03195009922804434161noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2779229888643981097.post-85892278904649300772010-03-11T23:40:00.000-08:002010-03-11T23:44:11.178-08:00Mirra - Beauty Product Review<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7s7_U5ZlCImOOP0GcvrLZl7CM1aKhfhfDsplOYlAcWzfIkwInYtV_DMXp1JfLm0I7NDZxxtRGg9pa5Ye_b9ZVk0IX3Acqs2Co0EvYC4dblREf1Uvd2zJv9gFPL7fy8c2EvF5J0lx1m8Xg/s1600-h/mirra_shampoo_conditioner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7s7_U5ZlCImOOP0GcvrLZl7CM1aKhfhfDsplOYlAcWzfIkwInYtV_DMXp1JfLm0I7NDZxxtRGg9pa5Ye_b9ZVk0IX3Acqs2Co0EvYC4dblREf1Uvd2zJv9gFPL7fy8c2EvF5J0lx1m8Xg/s320/mirra_shampoo_conditioner.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I love shampoo and conditioner. OK, to be honest I love taking showers because it's the only place in my house where I can be alone for a few minutes. But I also truly love shampoo and conditioner. </div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">I try to exercise restraint, but I'm not very strong willed when it comes to new bath products. Which is why there are probably no fewer than ten bottles of shampoo or conditioner in my shower at this time. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Knowing that, imagine my excitement when the lovely ladies at the <a href="http://www.globalinfluencenetwork.com/">Global Influence Network</a> asked me if I wanted to test a few new beauty products. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Mirra products are made with natural ingredients like olive oil, aloe leaf juice, cranberry, bamboo, honey, and chicoree root extracts. They've been created with fancy scientific proven technologies that help make these natural products extremely effective.* </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Then imagine my sorrow when I discovered that these incredible, sweet smelling, luscious products turned out to be only available at <a href="http://www.kroger.com/">Kroger stores</a>. Last I checked, we don't have any of those in California. So, so sad. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">But you my friends, you who are lucky enough to have one of the Kroger family stores near you, please hurry and go try one of the new Mirra products for yourself. (If you <a href="http://www.kroger.com/in_store/corporate_brands/Pages/mirra.aspx">click here you can even download a $5 off Mirra coupon!</a>)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Enough about the pitch. I bet you want to know why you should hurry and get these. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Well, in short because they smell amazing and they are awesome. I was fortunate enough to be asked to try the shampoo and conditioner (yay!), the body wash, the day face cream, the eye cream, the face soap, and the hair gel. (I know! I'm spoiled!)</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now, I don't actually use <b>hair gel</b> on my frizzy mop, but my darling husband does and was happy to try it out. He found the hold to be much better than his usual Suave stuff without making his hair feel like cardboard. I found the smell to be irresistible and couldn't keep myself away from him. <i>Ahem</i>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I put the <b>shampoo and conditioner</b> in the shower and used them as soon as possible. My hair is in a terrible place right now and could really use a close encounter with some sharp scissors, but the Mirra shampoo and conditioner did a lovely job anyway. My hair wasn't miraculously sleek and voluminous, but it was clean, healthy looking, and smelled heavenly. Until I get a trim I can't ask much more of any shampoo.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The <b>body wash</b> is just heavenly. I'm not exaggerating when I say it's silky. It comes out of the bottle in shimmery swirls of gold silk. And it actually feels like silk as you lather up. It almost feels too decadent for a daily shower. I've been saving it for special occasions. Though in truth that's actually every day because I can't resist it and because being alone for five minutes <i>is </i>a special occasion, so it totally qualifies. Plus it smells amazing and I can't resist. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Have I mentioned the smells yet? Woodsy, natural, vanilla-y. I can't put my finger on it. I just love how I'm instantly transported back to an undefined place in my childhood. It makes me feel all fuzzy and happy inside. Love it. Awesome way to start the day. Or end it, depending on when I manage to take a shower. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The <b>face cream</b> isn't too thick or greasy and it didn't leave my face looking shiny. In fact, it left it feeling smooth and soft and perfectly hydrated. My only beef with this cream was that it didn't have any SPF in it, which for me is a deal breaker because I am somewhat lazy in the skincare department and yet have to protect my skin form the California sun. I'm toying with using it as a night cream. I think it would do wonders for my thirsty skin. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The <b>scrubby face cleanser </b>was nothing short of awesome. I love a good deep clean and scrubbies always make me feel like that's exactly what I'm getting. It left my face feeling soft and clean, not stripped and dry. In fact, despite my incredibly dry skin, after using the face soap I never feel the urge to slather on face cream to make everything stop feeling tight. A definite bonus in my book!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I wish I could be honest and say I loved the <b>eye cream</b>, but in truth I haven't tried it yet. It smells lovely, but I honestly have no clue what eye cream does or how to use it, and it kind of scares me a bit. I know. I'm a wuss. I'm sorry.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">All in all I'd have to give the Mirra line a big thumbs up and next time I'm in Ohio visiting <a href="http://chefdruck.blogspot.com/">my sister</a> I'll have to make a point of stopping at Kroger to stock up. In the meantime I'm going to ration out what I have left so I can keep basking in that delectable smell that makes me so darn happy. I'd say it would be awesome if someone could bottle it, but, uh, they have, so I won't. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>*Please don't ask me what, I failed science repeatedly in class. But pretty! And smells good! And makes my skin and hair feel soft and healthy! Do you really need to know more?</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Please note: I received the above mentioned products for free so that I could review them. I was in no other way compensated for this review by Global Influence or The Kroger Company. </i><i>The thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are mine and mine alone. </i></div><br />
Did you like this <a href="http://www.roselemonade.blogspot.com/">The Lemonade Stand</a> post?<br />
Don't miss the next one!<a href="http://roselemonade.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss"> Subscribe</a> via my RSS feed.</div>Jessica R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03195009922804434161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2779229888643981097.post-22661807199734004372010-03-04T11:34:00.000-08:002010-03-04T11:34:34.369-08:00The 2010 Census - Children Count Too<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVheZoX60yOdrGO5w7ZvfkiBlLJoPYqcTVx_ROdhLsHN0JtQTE6VXO5KzFoEdgMOGXCKUjtsG2QyN0BSNA60cfNxOXuaFEYPIlPuvKfmsyr9HEjlHTZO07vQdavn_Z2_Fo8EzmordQ3vwB/s1600-h/dora_button_census.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVheZoX60yOdrGO5w7ZvfkiBlLJoPYqcTVx_ROdhLsHN0JtQTE6VXO5KzFoEdgMOGXCKUjtsG2QyN0BSNA60cfNxOXuaFEYPIlPuvKfmsyr9HEjlHTZO07vQdavn_Z2_Fo8EzmordQ3vwB/s320/dora_button_census.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">This isn't a review. This isn't a giveaway. It's just a public service announcement that you really need to hear. Well, if you're in the US that is...</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">You know how your school is underfunded? You know how there are never enough playgrounds? Well, you can do your part to help change that. And it won't cost you a dime. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Every child loves a good game of hide and seek. There are the fun butterflies they get in their tummies when they're waiting to be discovered and the pride they feel when they're able to count to ten and then yelling, "Ready or not, here I come!"<br />
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But children who are hidden from the U.S. Census counts (taken only once every 10 years) are not a laughing matter. So, ready or not, here comes 2010 Census ... and you have an important role to play!<br />
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Many parents may not realize the importance of accurately reporting the number of children in their family, including newborns. <b>The truth is that the undercount of children means that we do not get a true picture of our nation and our communities do not get their rightful share of public funds.</b> <br />
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<b> Why Children Count Too</b><br />
Children have been undercounted in every census since the first one in 1790. Local communities rely on census information in planning for schools, child care, health and other critical services. Babies need to be counted today, so they can benefit tomorrow from community services.<br />
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<b> Census counts are used, in whole or in part, for more than 140 programs that distribute more than $400 billion of federal funds to states and localities, including such child-focused programs as:</b></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Special Education Grants to states ($10.8 billion)</li>
<li>Head Start ($6.9 billion)</li>
<li>State Children's Health Insurance Program ($5.9 billion)</li>
<li>Foster Care Title IV-E ($4.7 billion)</li>
<li>Improving Teacher Quality State Grants ($2.9 billion)</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: left;"> Unlike adults, who may bear some responsibility for making sure they are counted in the Census, children are dependent on others to make sure they are included. Yet in 1980, 1990, and 2000, Census Bureau data show children, particularly young children, are one of the groups most likely to be missed in the Census. In fact, in the 2000 Census, there was a net undercount of more than 1 million children under age 10.<br />
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<i><b> <a href="http://www.globalinfluencenetwork.com/">Global Influence</a> is working with 2010 Census to help spread this important message for the next week to all of the parents who read our blogs. We need your help to make sure that every child is reported so they can receive the services they will need in the future.</b></i> <br />
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When playing hide and seek your children have the opportunity to be found after ten seconds. <br />
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The Census only comes around every ten years. So when you receive your Census form in mid-March, make sure your child (no matter how old) is counted!</div><br />
Did you like this <a href="http://www.roselemonade.blogspot.com/">The Lemonade Stand</a> post?<br />
Don't miss the next one!<a href="http://roselemonade.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss"> Subscribe</a> via my RSS feed.</div>Jessica R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03195009922804434161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2779229888643981097.post-22841482636523621012010-03-03T17:51:00.000-08:002010-03-04T23:14:30.473-08:00Disney's California Food & Wine Festival Fun<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrVlG-48zpQMTM1y3DIbf2Kh1Pz9LUvviwEPhyev2MQmunmFX5zCeYD9PpnWITKPZMDJVT30Cd6dk94cvaRf1WUWuvQH-DSXTbiiRVAPQqCkJ4g9TQByC1AyEDTYrQ-G1PZeYWM8QPufS4/s1600-h/2010+FW_Square_+Logo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrVlG-48zpQMTM1y3DIbf2Kh1Pz9LUvviwEPhyev2MQmunmFX5zCeYD9PpnWITKPZMDJVT30Cd6dk94cvaRf1WUWuvQH-DSXTbiiRVAPQqCkJ4g9TQByC1AyEDTYrQ-G1PZeYWM8QPufS4/s200/2010+FW_Square_+Logo.JPG" width="135" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;">In case you were still in doubt about whether or not Disney could really deliver on grown-up fun, then I have something to share that might just convince you. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">From April 16-May 31 Disney is holding a California Food & Wine Festival with complimentary and Signature events at Disney's California adventure. Tickets for the Signature events are on sale now at <a href="http://www.disneyland.com/foodandwine" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1267665432_3">www.disneyland.com/foodandwine.</span></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1267665432_3"> </span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1267665432_3"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1267665432_3"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you're a foodie or a wine lover this could just be the ideal way to explore Disneyland. I haven't been to many Disney events, but I can say one thing: Disney knows how to do things right. Their attention to detail virtually guarantees that every event they put on will be spectacular. I have no doubt that this will be no exception. </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1267665432_3"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Plus, you get to meet some of my favorite Food Network stars. Seriously, if I ever met Robert Irvine or Guy Fieri I would possibly faint. Or drool all over their shoes. </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1267665432_3"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1267665432_3"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span>So scroll on down for the full event program and start looking for a foodie friend or two. This is going to be one event you're going to want to share. I for one can't think of a more delicious way to explore Disneyland.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1267665432_3"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1267665432_3">Anyone want to take me? I promise I won't throw myself at Guy or Robert's feet. Honest!</span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The fifth annual Disney’s California Food & Wine Festival celebrates “The Art of Flavor” <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1267665432_4" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;">April 16</span>-May 31, 2010, at the Disneyland Resort. </b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>Daily </i></b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><ul style="color: black; font-family: inherit; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">Complimentary demonstrations featuring culinary experts and <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1267665432_5">celebrity chefs</span>, including <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1267665432_6" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;">Guy Fieri</span>, <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1267665432_7">Cat Cora</span> and <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1267665432_8">Robert Irvine</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">Seminars that feature wine, beer and spirits </span></li>
</ul><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">(Festival Showplace, <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1267665432_9" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;">Hollywood Pictures Backlot</span>; <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1267665432_10">Sunshine Plaza</span>; Golden Vine Winery and Pacific Wharf areas)</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i> </i></b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>Signature Events* </i></b><b><i>(additional fee required) </i></b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Taste <i>Food-Wine-Life</i> </b><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1267665432_11" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;">May 29, 7:00–10:00 p.m</span>. </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Eat, drink and celebrate in an immersive party for all the senses! Presented in “grand-tasting” style, this event offers delectable creations from Disney chefs, outstanding wines and live entertainment. <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1267665432_12">Theme park admission</span> not required.</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div class="NoSpacing-indentright" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Festival Wine Walks and Beer Walks </b>Daily </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Enjoy tastings of your favorites, and discover the flavor of new wines and beers as you stroll through Stage 12, at the Festival Showplace. </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoPlainText" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Winemaker </b><b>Dinners </b> <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1267665432_13" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;">Fridays: April 23</span>, 30, <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1267665432_14" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;">May 14</span> and 21</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1267665432_15" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;">6:30 – 9:00 p.m</span>. </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Award-winning wines paired with delectable culinary creations at <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1267665432_16">Steakhouse</span> 55, with Chef <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1267665432_17">Jason Martin</span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>New!</i></b><b> Brewmaster Dinner </b>Friday May 7</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">6:00 – 9:00 p.m.</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Join experts from <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1267665432_18">Karl Strauss Brewing Company</span> for <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1267665432_19">delicious food</span> paired with beers, at Steakhouse 55.</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>New!</i></b><b> <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1267665432_20" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;">Riedel Glass</span> Tasting </b><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1267665432_21" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;">Saturdays, April 24</span>, May 28</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">6:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">In this fascinating class led by an expert from Riedel, learn why the glass matters when it comes to wine tasting. Guests at this event will go home with a tasting set of four Riedel Vinum series <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1267665432_22">lead crystal wine glasses</span>. </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<b>Sweet Sundays </b> April 18, <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1267665432_23" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;">May 2</span>, 9, 16, 23 and 30<br />
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m<i>.</i></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Enjoy <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1267665432_24" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;">Sunday morning</span> buffets featuring elegant dessert items from acclaimed <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1267665432_25">pastry chefs</span>, at the Festival Showplace inside <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1267665432_26" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;">Disney’s California Adventure</span>. </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Taste Wine Like an Expert</b> <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1267665432_27" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;">Saturdays: May 1</span>, 8, 15 and 22 </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">2:00 – 4:00 p.m. </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Entertaining education with Sommelier Joy Cushing of Napa Rose restaurant</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Napa Rose Cooking School</b> <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1267665432_28" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;">Saturdays: April 17</span>, <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1267665432_29" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;">May 1</span>, 8, 15, and 22</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Executive Chef Andrew Sutton of Napa Rose leads guests in preparing a four-course gourmet meal. Guests receive a commemorative chef’s coat, embroidered with the Festival logo. </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>*Additional fee required for signature events. Most events held in Disney’s California Adventure® Park require Theme Park admission which is not included in the price of the event. For details and ticket information, go to <a href="http://www.disneyland.com/foodandwine" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.disneyland.com/foodandwine</a></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Please note: I was not compensated for this post. I just really, really want to go and I thought you might too. </i></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Did you like this <a href="http://www.roselemonade.blogspot.com/">The Lemonade Stand</a> post?</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Don't miss the next one!<a href="http://roselemonade.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss"> Subscribe</a> via my RSS feed.</span></div>Jessica R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03195009922804434161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2779229888643981097.post-72147392309033558282010-02-24T00:02:00.000-08:002010-02-24T00:02:44.547-08:00Songs from the Heart - Celtic Woman CD<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002UZXJA6?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002UZXJA6" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OWv8sMp8swpbxXOSeh2dhhtiCHXihWwBIeAJk-17DVgTa-uk05dvWomomBcpKl75XvMxGRDinYUIQ_WLVPHAoBp0CfuBrF6FBhMlDmXsJLos7VmkbT9WncR7sWf4IciseWWscPW-3GB1/s200/Celtic+Woman+CD.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Back in college I dated a boy with Celtic roots. He introduced me to Celtic music, and, being that I was in love with him at the time, I did what any lovesick girl would do, I immersed myself in the music he loved. <br />
<br />
Celtic music back then was not cool. (He wasn't all that cool himself. M would tell you he wasn't cool at all. But eh.) It was haunting and lyrical, but not cool. I pretended it was hip, but, if we're being fair, I had to hunt pretty hard for the CDs that I bought. Then we broke up, I moved to the US, and the CDs were lost somewhere along the way. <br />
<br />
I didn't think of them again until I popped in the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002UZXJA6?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002UZXJA6">Celtic Woman, Songs from the Heart</a> CD. Familiar haunting strains poured out of my CD playing, instantly transporting me back. It's not the same music, not by any stretch of the imagination. This CD mixes music you already know and love - Fields of Gold, Amazing Grace - with classic Celtic strains and harmonies. Just beautiful.<br />
<br />
This CD has been a hit with everyone at home, something that is definitely rare considering our very different tastes in music. But tonight even my extremely musically picky husband admitted that it was a very pleasant and soothing CD to listen to. The girls were much more easily won over - they're convinced that this is the music to Belle or another Disney Princess movie. I'm just glad that we get to listen to something other than Elmo or Kermit the Frog for once!<br />
<br />
There are definite times this CD sounds like it could be a film score, but that doesn't take away from its aesthetically pleasing music. It's not something you're going to get up and dance to, but if you're looking for something soothing and relaxing to listen to, then this CD is definitely for you!<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://celticwoman.com/">Celtic Woman</a> group is on tour right now. Visit <a href="http://www.celticwoman.com/">http://www.celticwoman.com</a> to find show dates and locations.<br />
You can find the album for purchase at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002UZXJA6?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002UZXJA6">Amazon </a>and other music retailers.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZivf0U6bPHGjFDZ1loCy6DQh1PECeBAiNqXzM-Db_jre9ERMEOojyn57Y5r6IFqSyIcQUC3auH-JBksqvguowdZ9QpHEGL4sy_4ytZjA2kC5dET_IXMCuOiRrLbmyEwRlpyFgARauXjbl/s1600-h/Celtic+Woman+Group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZivf0U6bPHGjFDZ1loCy6DQh1PECeBAiNqXzM-Db_jre9ERMEOojyn57Y5r6IFqSyIcQUC3auH-JBksqvguowdZ9QpHEGL4sy_4ytZjA2kC5dET_IXMCuOiRrLbmyEwRlpyFgARauXjbl/s320/Celtic+Woman+Group.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<i>Please note: This CD was sent to me by EMI Music to review because I am a member of Music Moms, a group of bloggers who review music. Nevertheless, the thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are mine and mine alone. </i></div><br />
Did you like this <a href="http://www.roselemonade.blogspot.com/">The Lemonade Stand</a> post?<br />
Don't miss the next one!<a href="http://roselemonade.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss"> Subscribe</a> via my RSS feed.</div>Jessica R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03195009922804434161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2779229888643981097.post-62367154156435615752009-12-17T00:42:00.000-08:002009-12-17T00:42:47.108-08:00Clorox Helps You Fight the Flu<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fightfluvirus.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacTJlRWLFG78pJMeHKlNS86XBIYYDntD_ctRYPloItTV2HdaXwaNsqQKNasrvyxUS2nFV26UfCIyfmC1Veh92ObXOmKNcq4_SV5BuDDpzM4FBjJ5n6tV-NEwEV_tDstYiVMryN3sOyf9U/s200/homeflukit_products2.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Anyone who reads my <a href="http://www.itsjessicaslife.com/">regular blog</a> knows that I have been particularly scared of the flu this winter. I struggled to get my daughters vaccinated against the H1N1 flu and I've been beyond anal about avoiding germ infested places. (Public library anyone?) <br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Beyond not taking my kids to places that might be harboring more than their fair share of germs, I've also been making a conscious effort to keep our home as sanitized as possible. I routinely disinfect door knobs, phone handsets, remote controls, and anything else that strikes me as potentially germy.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Lucky for me and anyone else who's on the "no germ, no virus" bandwagon this winter, Clorox has decided to make our lives a little easier. They've packaged the best of their disinfecting products with a handy guide that tells you, step by step, how to keep your house flu free this winter.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Best of all? If you buy the Clorox Home Flu Kit you'll actually be saving money - buying all the components separately costs more and you don't get the handy dandy cheat sheet!<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Now personally I was already a big fan of Clorox even if I am a hair scared of bleach and what it can do to jeans and cute clothes. And I may be a hair obsessed with Clorox wipes. So it wasn't a stretch for me to fall in love with the Flu Kit. (It's for killing the FLU! I love killing the flu!) Add the fact that the kit includes Clorox's hospital strength hand sanitizer (my other obsession this winter), and I'm sold. You can't buy that stuff in stores and if rumors are true, sooner rather than later this winter it's going to start getting hard to find Purell on store shelves...<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.fightfluvirus.com/">The Clorox Home Flu Kit</a> isn't yet available in stores. Right now you can only<a href="http://www.fightfluvirus.com/"> buy it online</a>. For $24.99 +shipping you get:<br />
</div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>2 canisters of Clorox<sup>®</sup> Disinfecting Wipes, one Fresh Scent and one Lemon Scent (35 wipes in each)</li>
<li>1 bottle of Clorox<sup>®</sup> Bleach (24 oz)</li>
<li>2 on-the-go packets of Clorox<sup>®</sup> Disinfecting Wipes (9 wipes in each)</li>
<li>1 bottle of Clorox<sup>®</sup> Clean-Up<sup>®</sup> Cleaner with Bleach (32 oz)</li>
<li>1 bottle of Clorox Commercial Solutions<sup>®</sup> Clorox<sup>®</sup> Hand Sanitizing Spray. (16.9 oz)</li>
<li>2 on-the-go bottles of Commercial Solutions<sup>®</sup> Clorox<sup>®</sup> Hand Sanitizing Spray (2 oz each)</li>
<li>A 4-color guide and laminated wallet-size card describing the most effective ways to use these products at home and on-the-go.</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: left;">So? What are you waiting for? Let's teach those germs who's boss!<br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Please Note: I am in no way affiliated with Clorox. I was sent a Clorox Home Flu Kit to test out at home for review purposes and was in no other way compensated for this review. The opinions and thoughts expressed in this post are mine and mine alone.</span></div><br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Did you like this <a href="http://www.roselemonade.blogspot.com/">The Lemonade Stand</a> post?<br />
Don't miss the next one!<a href="http://roselemonade.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss"> Subscribe</a> via my RSS feed.<br />
</div>Jessica R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03195009922804434161noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2779229888643981097.post-42762379778046958272009-12-06T23:35:00.000-08:002009-12-06T23:35:34.439-08:00Gift Guide for Tireless Moms<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Moms just do. We get up in the morning no matter how little we've slept. We get through the day no matter how much is thrown our way. We don't question, we don't complain (much), we just <i>do</i>.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So take a second this year and think beyond the bath salts and get your mom something awesome for this holiday season. Need some ideas to get you started? Read on.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">1) The <a href="http://www.apple.com/iphone/">iPhone</a>. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">OK, fine, you might not be an AT&T customer, but I guarantee you that the iPhone is at the top of every mom's wishlist this holiday season. That or another awesome smart phone. So she can Tweet, Facebook, text, and connect with her friends no matter where she happens to be - soccer field, grocery store, or even the library. Oh yeah, and so she can manage the family's calendar and stuff...<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">2) An eBook Reader - the <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/index.asp">Barnes & Nobles Nook</a>, an <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015T963C?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0015T963C">Amazon Kindle</a>, or a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WPXQ2M?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000WPXQ2M">Sony Reader</a>.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Granted there's nothing like finishing an awesome book and handing it over to your best friend over a cup of coffee, but there's also something to be said to never being without something to read. You know, for those hours moms spend waiting in the car and everywhere else.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> <br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">3) A Camera!<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Go with a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KJQ1DG?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000KJQ1DG">fancy DSLR</a> or a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001O9ARE0?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001O9ARE0">more modest point and shoot</a>, but a mom with a camera in hand is a happy mama who can capture every moment that she's scared she'll forget.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">4) <a href="http://www.spafinder.com/">A Spa Certificate</a>.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Sure it's a bit cheesy and definitely overdone. So it's a good thing that massages, mani-pedis, and facials can be enjoyed over and over again. Want to make it extra special? Get her two, one for her and one for her best friend, it's like two gifts in one - the massage and a girl's afternoon out.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">5) A Year of Coffee.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">A latte here, a venti here, it adds up, but it's a small price to pay for a moment of zen in the middle of the chaos that fills a mother's day. Make that moment even sweeter by sparing her the mad 'hunt-for-change-under-the-cars-seats' dance.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> <br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">6) <a href="http://www.servicemagic.com/">A maid service</a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Fine, not everyone can afford a regular cleaning service, but a one time clean-up won't break the bank and will be an incredibly welcome treat for even the most zen mom out there. You see, a cleaning service is going to clean behind the chair that mom always ignores, and she's going to dust the top of those light fixtures that are always forgotten. For about five minutes the house is going to sparkle. Then someone is going to track in mud or spill something, but those five minutes will be well worth it.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">7) A new car.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Oh, who am I joking. Nothing could replace the beat up mom car packed to the gills with toys, sippy cups, and cheerio crumbs.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Jessica R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03195009922804434161noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2779229888643981097.post-13438006023376117152009-11-15T15:06:00.000-08:002009-11-15T15:06:55.308-08:00Strawberry Shortcake Berry Café - Review<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002441FGS?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002441FGS" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Ctb2CGCzwtkA1KUdbTyZ05ir1yKm6BZOFuYRDmwBdUo-ETjrx3OipgRUO2JQX5F7fDtoLoEo8FGTcsQmbuhqKhHCol9wEOcFRDPqafqoZu9zq50rNvJ-nfAZSA6n0M_OeupoprwnQkvT/s200/Strawberry+Shortcake.jpg" width="143" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I was such a Strawberry Shortcake kind of kid that I even dressed up as Strawberry herself one Halloween. It was the cheapest, most plastic-y costume you could possibly imagine, but I cherished that thing. But aside from what I remember about that <strike>sheet of plastic</strike> costume, what I loved best about Strawberry Shortcake was her intoxicating smell. They say it was Strawberry, but I'm not sure it wasn't crack.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002441FGS?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002441FGS" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JlYbPBECRAmaK7BWgzJUV09vpbhIQ51ZTu1FBFeGfutaNShX6y_vimFr3nQPFGbFqxSFFq3t8KnL_6YmhazXiJorK74FmRzbuNhhYh7gbBb9Q6N8jfBCqKwBLFXUq92-C9jLFt4GEvJN/s200/Strawberry+Shortcake1.jpg" width="139" /></a>Since I was such a Strawberry Shortcake fan as a kid, I was thrilled to see her make a massive come back this year. I'm getting a kick out of watching Little L and C play with my little fruity friends.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I have two girls so it almost goes without saying that they go ballistic whenever I present them with a toy that has lots of tiny components. Anything cute, pink, and tiny is an instant hit in our home. My husband goes ballistic also, but for completely different reasons. The tiny bits drive him up the wall.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Strawberry Shortcake Berry Café is exactly the kind of toy my girls love. It's adorable, comes with a doll, and lots of teeny tiny pieces for lots of fun pretend play. Little L likes that Strawberry can sit on a bird and go for a spin. C likes to set up the café and have Strawberry be the perfect little hostess. I like watching them take a trip to my childhood. And M? Well, he's not a fan of the little pieces, but he does like it when the girls play on their own.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002441FGS?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002441FGS">Strawberry Shortcake Berry Café</a> Pros:<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">- Fun retro toy with an up to date twist. Lots of fun details, like a blender for iced coffee drinks and a cute little oven to bake the tiny baked goods. Strawberry Shortcake even has a bed in case she needs to take a nap after a particularly crazy morning! <br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">- Not a bad price point for such a large toy - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002441FGS?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002441FGS">$28.42 today on Amazon</a>. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">- Great potential for imaginative play. Since Strawberry Shortcake is the only doll supplied with this set she might have to get to know some of your kid's other dolls!<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002441FGS?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002441FGS">Strawberry Shortcake Berry Café</a> Cons:<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">- I don't know if my kids are singular in this or not, but they don't tend towards mixing and matching their toys. So there's a big chance that in our home Strawberry won't be making any friends until her creators start selling more of her fruity palls.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">- The windows and doors on the café don't seal shut so the tiny little pieces can't be stored in it for safekeeping. A ziplock bag takes care of that issue, but it would have been nice to have the set be self-sufficient.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">- My treasured childhood smell isn't here for the ride. (It is on some of the Strawbery Shortcake coloring books that we have found.) But the girls don't mind. I'm the only one who noticed!<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">All in all this is a lovely toy and will make many little girls grin with glee this holiday season!<br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Please Note: I am in no way affiliated with Hasbro. I was given a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002441FGS?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002441FGS">Strawberry Shortcake Berry Cafe</a> for review purposes and was in no other way compensated for this review. The opinions and thoughts expressed in this post are mine and mine alone.</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Did you like this <a href="http://www.roselemonade.blogspot.com/">The Lemonade Stand</a> post?<br />
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</div>Jessica R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03195009922804434161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2779229888643981097.post-63952210176432029042009-11-05T23:29:00.000-08:002009-11-05T23:29:48.671-08:00Sprig Toy Review - Dolphin Explorer Boat<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0027FF2O0?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0027FF2O0" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sprig Dolphin Explorer Boat image" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRsuEP0QdsyyPgKkMm8Ia5a9v5nL1-2U1DrE9PhUZAwsx6wtUlrHhp9SaGGDIPZRzZw_a-U4Mt8pij-w8IB863tKxggcxSnE4SsezCi-jk6ft5YMrSmAN1pqLuRsVhWyzpI2nJUBi2uMZm/s200/dolphin.jpg" title="Sprig Dolphin Explorer Boat" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> I'm just going to come out and admit it. I am <i>that </i>mom. The one who lies to her kids. I may have, on many occasions, lied about the fact that a toy didn't make noise. I have yanked batteries before they noticed how it was supposed to work, or let batteries die without replacing them.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>What</i>? I believe in the power of imagination!<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And then, sometimes I'm delighted to discover toys that don't require batteries and that, by their simple, ingenious designs, are all about promoting the power of imagination. When they happen to be <a href="http://www.sprigtoys.com/">green toys</a>, well, that's just icing on the cake.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0027FF2O0?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0027FF2O0" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Sprig Dolphin Explorer Boat image" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgCvYuHf-BDXEG8oELDgxwgStAxcC6YkRw7lO9vBmR99obU7DBR5xbqBPRuR_EvgDG0rFyWPnmsGETsSzZEL2_ZhSW9S9n74ILezGtqjW9NDW4Y_wm4ZPy-ILHMAi4uz3uOUQWl83LGBl/s200/Sprig+Dolphin.jpg" title="Sprig Dolphin Explorer Boat" /></a><br />
</div>All <a href="http://www.sprigtoys.com/">Sprig Toys</a> are eco-friendly and unbelievable adorable. I guarantee that you won't be able to resist picking up the cute little people and I doubt that you'll leave their site without thinking of a few little people in your life who would love to create their own adventures with these toys. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I was fortunate to receive our buddy <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0027FF2O0?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0027FF2O0">Captain Owen and his rugged little boat</a>. Is he a fisherman? Is he a dolphin watcher? Depends on the day and who's telling the story.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0027FF2O0?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0027FF2O0">Sprig Toy Dolphin Explorer</a> Pros:</b><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">- Parents will love the eco friendly, made from recycled materials toy. Kids will adore the tough little boat and the adorable dolphins.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">- The toys are made from Sprigwood, a mix of recycled plastic and reclaimed sawdust. It's smooth to the touch and very pleasant to handle. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">- Two boats! For even more imaginative play.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">- Waterproof, so great for pool, beach, or even tub time. Dolphins are the only hollow creatures, but they are well designed with no place water can stay trapped and make the toy moldy. Everything else dries nicely.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">- The box is more than just a box! It has cut-outs that add a whole other dimension to the toys inside. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0027FF2O0?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0027FF2O0">Sprig Toy Dolphin Explorer</a> Cons:</b><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">- Our kids aren't used to having toys that have to be fuelled so far by their imaginations. Captain Owen doesn't even have a face. It takes a while for them to get engaged and start having fun with this, but once they do it's hard to tear them away!<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">- Price point - $29.99 - is a hair higher than I'd go for a basic birthday party toy, but for a toy with this quality and ingenuity I'd invest for my own children, a close friend, or a family member. (Many toys on the site are more in my birthday party price range!) <br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I am a huge fan of Sprig Toys and I was delighted to see that they're easy to find. I even spotted one of the trucks at Baby Gap the other day! They have <a href="http://www.sprigtoys.com/products/eco-trucks/eco-trucks.php">trucks</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0027FF2OK?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0027FF2OK">princesses</a> and even <a href="http://www.sprigtoys.com/products/storybuilders/pigs.php">fun book/toys</a> for interactive reading play. I know quite a few kids who will be getting some rugged chunky little imagination boosters in their stockings this year...<br />
<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with <a href="http://www.sprigtoys.com/">Sprig Toys</a>. I was given a Dolphin Explorer Boat for review purposes and was in no other way compensated for this review. The opinions and thoughts expressed in this post are mine and mine alone.</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Jessica R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03195009922804434161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2779229888643981097.post-36652152170416945062009-10-19T22:22:00.000-07:002009-10-21T17:47:14.863-07:00Halloween Fairy Gift IdeasDespite all your wonderful memories of sorting through your Halloween haul and the joy you got out of having all that candy to savor during the <strike>days</strike> weeks after the spooky holiday, now that it's your kids sifting through countless candy bars, you're feeling a bit squeamish.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Enter the Halloween Fairy.<br /><br />She's the awesome little creature who sneaks in during the night and trades your kid's Halloween candy stash for a cool toy or book. (What <strike>you</strike> the Halloween Fairy does with all that candy is up to <strike>you</strike> her.)<br /><br />Love the idea, but don't really know what the Fairy could leave? How about a couple ideas?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NJH3B2?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000NJH3B2"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 74px; height: 90px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFy9DlrBqyJyHDMwIYyVt5etaBvlRW3iw9gu1R7_WCGDP6UOFIvWxaNk8MGeYJEYYNERsc178gv6tYkKNB_1ySNYaJIY3ChQnj4o5ivVEJppwq0Fk4xv8en4brQ7raF7wzX-th6cSBSgxp/s320/Holiday+Jenga.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395218457943787234" border="0" /></a>1) Candy Land might rubbing it in a bit much, but there are other great board games that would be as fulfilling as a bag full of candy. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ON17L4?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000ON17L4">Halloween Jenga</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00064XFW0?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00064XFW0">Boo-opoly</a>, or the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001SN8GEA?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001SN8GEA">Charlie Brown Great Pumpkin Yahtzee</a> keep the spookiness going, but there are also options if you want to turn your minds to the next holidays, like, say, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NJH3B2?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000NJH3B2">Holiday Jenga</a>! (Who knew Jenga could lend itself to awesome holiday applications?!)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002M4GV7I?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002M4GV7I"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 99px; height: 71px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrT93SJy5fDxtcRYIiIoslm9XwMzRw8AEWnFK9TaUc_Xr7TYSoJw-G93AB0qUXPByMDbMH2G_oqgWGF7mrByxsL7_JW_9izKU4lyAhMm2X40F80O25UxK-2-HSKiTqZcIft7kZcNARfL_F/s320/turkey+webkinz.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395217998146031890" border="0" /></a><br />2) Webkinz come in adorable Halloween-y cuteness, like a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VAUAKO?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000VAUAKO">little black cat</a>, a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001EHZQGG?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001EHZQGG">sweet little bat</a>, or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002M4KD18?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002M4KD18">the cutest little dragon ever</a>. Putting Halloween behind you? How about a delicious little <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002M4GV7I?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002M4GV7I">Turkey Webkinz</a>?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EYF6TM?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000EYF6TM"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 80px; height: 86px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPE6FVqS76cjmMxg-arQCKD8dtCUh7m7cNaX7w3cVKn8IUOJrSi2z9Yi5oWzaNY8Ne9aiQK180ovsS65xqRNxJ4ZnRe2reB-_bjBJM9K7ij9N1JUYLbeh7nXM0ZzmzLTS6KiPaRa4od2v/s320/Crayola+Color+Tower.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395217382864217842" border="0" /></a>3) Once Halloween is over it's time to start decorating the house for some Thanksgiving fun! You'll need your fair share of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EYF6TM?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000EYF6TM">crayons</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00125Q27M?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00125Q27M">construction paper</a>, and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00115F148?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00115F148">glitter</a> to get it all done!<br /><br />4) Speaking of Thanksgiving, what if the Halloween Fairy traded <img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 94px; height: 103px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicemEamX8rhE16zZMawMm31HJu-JnQGhh3geO7V7TnN9_Qw4VqDsuoYNitxGk0f-ZaLcrYj0xjd0x6R612hwtXhxXKcbTeHrLNRokoA5jz3K0MzObGN8-8DjRXJBWuBx6ik-KZuFlFszSN/s320/Williams+Sonoma+Kids+Cookbook.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395216878201324498" border="0" />food for food? No, I'm not talking about more candy, I'm talking about a fun cookbook that might get your kids excited to help with all that holiday cooking! <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764578618?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0764578618">The Pillsbury Kids cookbook</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0756629160?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0756629160">Kid's Fun and Healthy cookbook</a>, and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0743278569?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0743278569">Williams-Sonoma Kids in the Kitchen: Fun Foods</a> book are great places to start.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000H4CO8U?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000H4CO8U"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 97px; height: 97px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkuSBXDqivLAfYlJ-BbAeEgdLdX-_82qPkLEQTn7THHVCWklbTHF31SdlhOiNOAoEd3Utr1oDNCpRNG0qpqcYuAQdM0NZO-eDwgC6ylnq9PAc-jrn8rBFIQm3k1t2pVUW-IznkukotYuR/s320/Halloween+Tater.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395215825514123026" border="0" /></a>5) Just because Halloween is over doesn't mean that the dressing up fun has to end. Mr Potato Head looks just as good as a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000H4CO8U?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000H4CO8U">Halloween ghost</a>, as he does as <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OPG0GO?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000OPG0GO">Spiderman</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Y8Z2L0?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000Y8Z2L0">Indiana Jones</a>, or even, say, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NP87NE?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000NP87NE">a certain jolly fat man dressed in red</a>. Hey! This one could even pass as the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000J1DYLC?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000J1DYLC">Hannukah </a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000J1DYLC?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000J1DYLC">Bunny</a>. You know, if he existed anywhere outside my head.<br /><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 122px; height: 104px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GvgA44N9k-Lcn3hXio70oS1aVOtE1JiFrUOzZ3ao__okIpbceBijYL6FCJyazcRSkXsRhdglzawuX1g27zgwd4lNv4FFQ-MSy7M048Ahybg43pppYdacysd8sbBYfUMJITtmRHf6HtS0/s320/MandM+pillow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395215203911957426" border="0" /><br />6) Or, for the slightly sadistic parent (ahem, not pointing any fingers...), how about a sweet reminder of what the Halloween Fairy spirited away? <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001MZXAK4?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001MZXAK4">M&M</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001MZSK5E?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001MZSK5E">Starburst</a>, or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001MZQLXM?ie=UTF8&tag=thelemsta-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001MZQLXM">Twix</a> pillow anyone? Aw! Come on, at least it would be funny! For you!<br /><br />Obviously these are just a few of the <a href="http://roselemonade.blogspot.com/2009/10/scooby-doo-first-frights-perfect-game.html">millions of options</a> that the Halloween Fairy could come up with. Hunt around and let your imagination run wild. Then be good to yourself and get rid of the candy instead of eating it all in one sitting. Your teeth will thank you, even if your personal trainer and your dentist don't.<br /><br /></div>Did you like this <a href="http://www.roselemonade.blogspot.com/">The Lemonade Stand</a> post?<br />Don't miss the next one!<a href="http://roselemonade.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss"> Subscribe</a> via my RSS feed.<br /></div>Jessica R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03195009922804434161noreply@blogger.com9