Parenting

Stylish Duds for Your Disney Family Vacation

January 9, 2017

In less than a month, my family and I will be heading back to the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. I’m still in a bit of a shock to have received the coveted invitation a second time, but my gratitude and excitement are slowly surpassing my disbelief.

Not only will we be visiting Walt Disney World in Orlando, but we’ll also be sailing on the newly renovated Disney Wonder for a cruise to the Bahamas for several nights. To get us ready for what will surely be one of our most memorable family experiences, I’ve decided that we should be decked out—Disney style.

If your family is attending the conference or planning an upcoming vacation to the House of Mouse (on land or sea), I’ve rounded up some of my favorite Disney duds for the entire family:

Minnie Mouse Raglan Pullover Sweater for Women available here, $49.99

babyGap | Disney Baby Mickey Mouse Graphic Tee available here, $30

Mickey Mouse Little Boys’ Toddler “Mickey Chill” 2-Pack Joggers available here, $17

Disney Minnie Stylish Girls Princess Tee Graphic T-Shirt available here, $7.97

GapKids | Disney Mickey Mouse Embroidered Girlfriend Jeans available here $49.95

babyGap | Disney Baby Dumbo Graphic Drop-waist Dress available here, $39.95

Gap | Disney Mickey Mouse Crew Sweatshirt for Men available here, $59.95

Disney Mickey Mouse Neon Glow Short Sleeve Boys Graphic Tee T-Shirt available here, $7.97

Category: Fashion, Parenting, Style | 1 Comment

‘Put Me in the Story’ Makes Story Time Personal

December 16, 2016

It’s no secret that story time with your little one can foster a lifelong love of reading and create a strong bond between mother and child. That’s why I’ve always made bedtime reading a family ritual and it’s just gotten better.

Put Me In The Story turns books into individual tomes by personalizing them with your child’s name. Your mini me will be fascinated by the fact that her (or his) name appears throughout the book—making story time even more special.

Seeing their names woven into the story promotes reading comprehension and allows your child to truly be a part of the story.

Disney’s Dream Big, Princess is available here, $34.99. Hurry, order by 12/16/16 11:59pm EST in time for Christmas arrival.

From Disney’s Dream Big, Princess, to Marvel’s “Avengers,” these books make excellent gifts for your little reader.

I have one for my daughter and I can’t wait for her to unwrap it on Christmas. Hey, maybe seeing her name on and throughout the book will inspire her to become an author! You never know what can spark their interests.

Have you ever purchased a personalized book for your child?

Category: Parenting, Travel & Lifestyle, Wellness | Leave a Comment

Lego Fans Rejoice! Brick Fest Live Comes to Brooklyn

December 9, 2016

Looking for some fun for the kids this weekend?

If you’re in the New York City area, head to downtown Brooklyn for A Lego® Holiday Experience presented by Brick Fest Live. Held at City Point, Brooklyn’s brand new premier retail, residential, and office development space, the one-of-a-kind event will be an evening to remember for the Lego lover in your life.

There are plenty of educational and interactive activities to keep children and adults alike intrigued. From a life-size Disney character made of Legos to car building and racing to a fantastic glow-in-the-dark exhibit, the festive event boasts a variety of collaborative and solo opportunities to unleash creativity. Plus, fans of the beloved toy will be able to purchase items during the experience.

My son lived out his Lego dreams during a sneak peek of the event before it was opened to the public. He enjoyed building race cars and rolling around in the brick pit, which was like a lake of Legos. It was a great way for him to enhance his motor skills while letting his imagination run wild.

Get the deets below:

WHEN:

Friday, Dec. 9: 5pm-9pm

Saturday Dec. 10: 10am-9pm

Sunday Dec. 11: 10am-6pm

Friday, Dec. 16: 5pm-9pm

Saturday Dec. 17: 10am-9pm

Sunday Dec. 18: 10am-6pm

WHERE:

City Point Downtown Brooklyn, 445 Albee Square West, Brooklyn, NY

Tickets available for $12-15 at http://www.brickfestlive.com. FREE for kids age two and under.

Do you have a Lego-obsessed child in your family?

Category: Arts and Entertainment, Misc., Parenting | Leave a Comment

Inside Sprout Studios: A Tour to Remember

December 1, 2016

There’s nothing more precious than witnessing your child experience a priceless moment.

I had that special pleasure a few weeks ago when I surprised my children with a visit to Sprout, the premier 24-hour cable network for preschoolers. Nestled on the 6^th floor of Rockefeller Center in the heart of Manhattan, the NBC-owned channel is home to popular children programs like “Caillou” and “The Berenstain Bears,” as well as several original animated series such as “Dot.,” “Terrific Trucks,” and “Floogals.”

But the main star of the network is “Chica,” the chipper, gibberish-speaking chicken from the flagship, Emmy-nominated program, “The Sunnyside Up Show.” Not only does Chica serve as a co-host on the aforementioned show, she also makes appearances alongside hosts, Emily, Kaitlin, and Tim for birthday announcements, sing-alongs, holiday specials, etc. between programming breaks.

The private tour started with a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the control room. Having never visited a television studio before, seeing the multiple screens, monitors and unfamiliar knobs and buttons were fascinating for both of my kids. Watching their little faces light up in amazement was a true joy. But that excitement couldn’t compare to the jubilation of meeting Emily and Chica.

As we turned the hallway and walked into the studio where all of the action happens, the moment I’d been waiting for had finally arrived: they met Chica! Ava was excited, but certainly not as enthused as my 3-year-old son. His excitement was palpable and confirmed by his constant squeals and shrieks.

But, Chica wasn’t the only notable in the room. Emily is bonafide celebrity in our home so they were both pretty thrilled to meet her in person too. Her warm, peppy personality was just as vibrant off-camera as it appears onscreen.

After chatting with Chica and Emily, checking out the set, green room and makeup room, we were on our way with memories (and mementos) that will last a lifetime!

Be sure to look out for Sprout’s holiday specials throughout the month. Click here for more information.

Are your children Sprout fans? If so, what’s their favorite show(s)?

Category: Arts and Entertainment, Gumbo Mix, Misc., Parenting, Travel & Lifestyle, Wellness | Leave a Comment

Kids Will Go Crazy for This Easy Thanksgiving Dessert

November 23, 2016

If you’ve got the beans, greens, potatoes and tomatoes ready for Thanksgiving, but are still stumped on what to serve the kids for dessert don’t fret; I’ve got you covered!

Why not whip up a batch of yummy Apple Pumpkin Spice muffins made with GoGo squeeZ’s seasonal (Apple Pumpkin Spice) applesauce? These sweet and cinnamon-y pastries are the perfect alternative for the sugar-laden treats that are typically presented during the holidays.

The recipe is easy, tasty and most importantly—healthy. The all-natural applesauce is a hit for moms because it’s made with real fruit and doesn’t have any of those unpronounceable ingredients or artificial flavors.

GoGo squeeZ Apple Pumpkin Spice Applesauce available here, prices may vary.

Plus, if your kids are like mine, simply mentioning the popular fruit-filled pouches will make them jump for joy. So, imagine their delight when they learn that their favorite snack will serve as the main ingredient for a delicious dessert. Trust me, you’re going to score major points for adding these muffins to the menu.

My kids are excited to prepare (and gobble) this simple recipe on dinner’s biggest day and I couldn’t be more thankful.

Below, find the foolproof recipe:

GoGo squeeZ Apple Pumpkin Spice Muffin Recipe

Ingredients:

2 cups whole-wheat flour
2 cups oats
3 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup water
3 pouches of GoGo squeeZ Apple Pumpkin Spice
Oil or cooking spray

Instructions:

*Preheat oven to 350°F.

*Grease muffin pans (24 total muffins).

*Mix all dry ingredients (except for nuts).

*Mix wet ingredients and slowly add to dry ingredients. Stir thoroughly.

*Fill muffin cups 2/3-3/4 full.

*Bake for approximately 25 minutes.

*Enjoy delicious, scrumptious Apple Pumpkin Spice Muffins!

What are some of your Thanksgiving dessert staples?

Category: Parenting, Travel & Lifestyle, Wellness | Leave a Comment

Farm Fresh Festival Promotes Healthy Lifestyle for Kids

September 21, 2016

This past weekend, my family and I had the pleasure of attending the first Farm Fresh Festival for Kids here in New York City. Held at South Street Seaport, the event was created to inspire healthy habits, featuring farm-to-table foods. The one-day celebration was the perfect way to usher in the new school year.

Organized by the Generation Fresh Foundation, Howard Hughes Corporation, Fresh Kids and a host of community volunteers, entertainers, authors and small business owners, the event was a smorgasbord of fun.

Packed with tons of interactive and experiential discovery zones, kids were able to explore how their food is grown to actually making their very own healthy snacks. From small farm animals to hands-on cooking demos, children in attendance were treated to a ton of engaging activities that promoted a healthy and happy lifestyle. Throughout the space, children (and adults!) were able to snack on Fresh Kids pretzels, popcorn and veggie straws – my kids’ favorites.

These tasty nibbles were GMO-free and contained no artificial coloring or flavors – making them a win-win. The event also offered a sports zone where kids were encouraged to get moving. Not only did the festival promote the importance of being healthy and active, it also cultivated kids emotionally. Through the Kindness Corner, children were able to write notes to sick hospital patients, allowing them to show compassion for others.

Plus, the festival also served as a benefit to raise funds for non-profit organizations working in NYC to fight childhood obesity, hunger and poor nutrition.

My two little ones couldn’t get enough of petting the farm animals and playing games, but for me the highlight was meeting Haile Thomas, a bright young lady who is a health advocate for children. At just 15 years old, she’s also a vegan chef and founder of The Happy Organization, where she educates students about the importance of healthy eating and more.

The all-day affair was surely one that my kids and I won’t soon forget. We walked away with awesome tips on healthy eating, quick-and-easy recipe ideas and a wealth of knowledge about brands and vendors that offer healthier snacking options.

With so many children being inactive and glued to their tablets and eating unhealthy snacks, the event was a reminder that we have to fuel our children with the proper nutrition they need to succeed.

How do you keep your kids active and excited to eat healthy foods?

Category: Arts and Entertainment, Parenting, Travel & Lifestyle, Wellness | 1 Comment

Probiotics Keep Kids’ Tummies Happy

September 15, 2016

Now that school’s back in session, unfortunately those pesky germs that cling to kids are also making a comeback.

With classrooms being a cesspool for germs and viruses, it’s imperative that we moms protect our children as much as possible. The germ-ridden surfaces they encounter on a daily basis can wreak havoc on their immune systems. And reinforcing proper hand washing isn’t enough. Did you know that most sicknesses start in the gut? Yep, hand washing alone can’t prevent nasty bugs from entering their intestinal tract. That’s why we have to help build their systems from the inside—literally, in their tummies.

Bio-Kidz Probiotic Supplement available here.

One of the best and easiest ways to do this is by introducing probiotics into their diet. Probiotics have many benefits namely, serving as a stomach’s first defense to keep bacteria from finding its way into vulnerable immune systems. They can also help heal the damage that bad bacteria can cause.

And the really good news is that probiotics can be found in Bio-Kidz, a new beverage supplement that tastes good and protects tiny digestive systems. My daughter is a huge fan of the drinks and often asks for two at time. Available in a couple delicious flavors: strawberry and vanilla, the drinks are perfect for school lunch boxes and weekend playdates. Each bottle contains 12.5 billion bacteria – the good kind that will keep your child healthy and well all yearlong.

How do you keep your kids healthy during the school year?

Category: Baby, Parenting, Travel & Lifestyle, Wellness | Leave a Comment