Holidays Archives - Page 15 of 40

Bring home the magic with Pete’s Dragon on DVD and Blu-ray today

When I think of my kids getting older, what gets me most emotional is thinking of the magic of childhood being over. Throughout the years of parenting, that childhood magic and wonder had made even the mundane a little more special. There is something really amazing about watching the magic of childhood right in front of you, and it makes me long for that type of magic in my everyday life.

So, when choosing films, TV shows, and books to read with my kids, I err on the side of magic. And, since my son is obsessed with dragons and hasn’t stopped talking about seeing Pete’s Dragon in the theater, I knew that this DVD was one we were going to have to own. Honestly, it was pretty much made for families like mine that love magic and fantasy, but can’t handle films that are so unrealistic that they become unwatchable to anyone under the age of 10.

After being away for a few months, it was really fun to return to the world of Pete’s Dragon and experience the magic for a second, third, and fourth time this year. The cinematography of the sun drenched fields, rolling hills, and beautiful old-growth forest is just amazing and it is fun to return over and over again. The kids immediately recognized the film as being set in the PNW, and now whenever we’re in the forest they love to imagine themselves becoming one with nature along with the characters in the film and having their own dragon friend.

RAYCOP Purifiers give you peace of mind this holiday season

Do you ever wonder what’s really on your upholstered furniture and your mattresses? Do yourself a favor and don’t look into it. Just trust the EPA findings that a single mattress may be home to as many as 10 million dust mites and a multitude of bacteria and viruses.

Clearly, that is not the clean surface you want to be laying your head on. So, what’s a girl to do if she wants to sleep in peace, knowing she’s not sharing her bed with parasites and germs? She should get a new RAYCOP unit that cleans and sanitizes those surfaces and sleep soundly. Is your interest piqued? The new RAYCOP purifiers, available for the first time in the U.S, extract more than 99% of bacteria and pollen from fabric surfaces throughout the home including bed linens, upholstery, drapes, decorative pillows, and even clothing, etc. It has three settings: delicate, normal, and heavy, which can accommodate just about any type of fabric.

Little House on the Prairie Laura Ingalls doll and accessories from The Queen’s Treasures

If you know my children, you understand their love of dolls. But love doesn’t even come close to describing how they feel about the new Little House on the Prairie® line from The Queen’s Treasures. I can’t even get over how adorable this set is, and how much I would have adored it as a … Read more

Two new apps let you enjoy the magic of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade whenever you want

This post is sponsored by Everywhere Agency on behalf of Macy’s; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.Thanksgiving was always a busy holiday for us growing up with so much family to see and so far to drive, so I never got to experience a lazy Thanksgiving morning as a child. It wasn’t until I was a teen that my husband {then my boyfriend} insisted that I sit and watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with him. I was expecting something like the local parades with a few marching bands, some done up parade floats, and lots of parade waving from people I had no idea who they were.

But, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade just blew me away. With tons of giant character balloons, elaborate floats, the nation’s best marching bands and performance groups, celebrities and favorite television personalities, and, of course, the official entrance of the one-and-only Santa Claus.

From that year on, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade became our annual tradition and we would watch it every year – sometimes live and other times after we got home from running around to see our families.

I’m happy that now the tradition continues with my kids. They look forward to the parade as soon as anyone even casually mentions Thanksgiving and they ask about it daily until Turkey Day finally arrives. The day of, our family tradition always starts with snuggles in our bed as we watch the first part of the parade, and by the middle we’re dancing like the Rockettes in the middle of the living room.

Holiday Entertainment with American Girl

We're incredibly picky about what we allow our kids to watch. Not just based on TV and movie ratings, but also for the tone and feel of the show. We've all but banned those sassy kids' shows where the kids spew catch phrases and spend the whole show time plotting and scheming. Sadly, we're down to fewer and fewer shows these days and sometimes wish I could flip on the TV and find something that not only was age appropriate but also had a great message.

That's why I turn to American Girl. Over the years, we've watched more American Girl movies with the kids than any other series, and it's the one we all eagerly await new releases from like it's Christmas. Well, this year, Christmas came early.

American Girl has released their holiday entertainment lineup just in time for cozy nights spent snuggled up in front of the TV. Of course, the kids were happy to hear of new movies and episodes and are busy planning our weeks around watching the newest American Girl releases.

Circuit Scribe makes learning electronics fun for all ages {plus 15% off discount code}

As the parent of young kids, it's my job to teach them all I can about how the world works. Some of this is fun and involves traveling to exotic locales and experimenting with art, but some things certainly aren't my favorite. For instance, math, technology, or anything that involves me reading a textbook and then following directions step by step.

So, you're probably wondering why I agreed to teach math and technology at my daughter’s school. I could explain that it’s the only time slot that I had access to a sitter for my little one, but the truth is that I wanted a challenge. If I’m challenging the kids to learn new things and not be limited by what they think they can't do, I also need to take my own advice, even if that means studying up on my days off.

It’s no secret that I’m literally the last person you’d ask for help with a project involving circuitry, and that’s mostly my own doing. My husband likes to give me simple ways to remember how circuits and electronics work, and I conveniently forget each time or I doubt myself when I’m actually left on my own. This is the reason I turned to Circuit Scribe. Circuit Scribe fits right in the STEM subjects I’m teaching, but unlike textbooks and worksheets, it makes learning about circuits actually fun for kids as well as their adult helpers.
The secret to the Circuit Scribe system is the special pen with conductive ink that lets you draw out the connections for your circuit instead of using wires or a circuit board. This really allows you to see how the circuit works and gets you involved more deeply than just snapping pieces together, plus it adds a whole art dimension to the project that I love.

Global Girl dolls introduce girls to the wider world around them

I like to think that I’m raising global kids; ones who are excited to learn about different cultures and visit as many places as they can in their lifetimes. Sometimes instilling that love of different cultures is as easy as my daughter seeing a movie or reading a book and deciding she wants to visit France or Japan or Brazil all on her own, but other times it means introducing her to a new culture in a fun and exciting way that really resonates with her. The best way to do that is through play. This is why I love the new Global Girl Dolls that celebrate the differences of girls all over the world while sharing the stories of 6 fictional characters.

Schedule your holiday family photo sitting now at Portrait Innovations

It’s that time of year again! Photo Christmas cards are coming, and they aren’t going to plan themselves. I know you still think you have time, but it’s really time to think about it now.

Otherwise you know you’re going to wait until the last minute and search through the pictures you’ve snapped all year only to find that every single picture that includes the whole family has someone either 1) looking away, 2) crying, 3) making goofy faces, or 3) all of the above. So, then you’ll find the nearest photo studio and book a last minute appointment that ends in disaster.

Or, you can go the easy route and just schedule yourself a family portrait sitting at Portrait Innovations now, while you still have time.

Finding Dory swims home today on DVD and Blu-ray

While at Disney Social Media Moms this spring, we got the chance to preview the first part of Disney•Pixar's Finding Dory before it hit theaters. It was about 30 seconds into the showing when I knew that Finding Dory wasn't going to disappoint and it was definitely going to become a favorite Disney film.

When we finally got the opportunity to see the whole film this summer, I realized just how right I was. The story begins where Finding Nemo left off and shows how our favorite forgetful blue tang has adjusted since Nemo returned home.

As we learn how Nemo, Marlin, and Dory have adjusted since their journey across the ocean, we’re reminded that we don’t know anything of Dory’s past and where she came from. Returning director Andrew Stanton describes why he decided to revisit Dory’s past by saying, “I realized that I was worried about Dory. The idea of her short-term memory loss and how it affected her was unresolved. What if she got lost again?” His response to this question is the touching tale of friendship and family that’s truly unforgettable … perhaps even for Dory.

Unique gifts for your Star Wars fan from the What On Earth Catalog

Do you have a Star Wars fan on your list this holiday season? Beyond the basics, like the movies, lightsabers, and a few collectibles, what else is there to wrap up? This year, I looked to The What on Earth Catalog to find the perfect Star Wars gift that is not only super cool, but also practical.

Introducing our newest, and already most beloved, kitchen gadget: The Star Wars Rogue One Darth Vader Lightsaber Handheld Immersion Blender. The Star Wars Darth Vader Lightsaber Immersion Blender is a sturdy saber made from red stainless steel that turns blending into a battle between good and evil. The realistic ABS handle will surely impress and the adjustable speeds can make short work of any blending job. Prepare to be the Sith Lord of your kitchen!