Did your parents go to extraordinary lengths to get you the must have toys?  To my knowledge my mother did once, she braved a store to get me a cabbage patch doll.  Now, the next thing I am going to say is sure to ruffle some feathers, I didn’t even want it.

I don’t recall EVER asking for a specific toy.  I had no clue about what toys to ask for I think.  I went to school, walked home and was a latch key kid.  I had one friend in my building that I was authorized to call for some play time.  She didn’t have a lot of toys, she was the only girl I really played with at home.  She had more than I did but didn’t have ’it’ toys.  We both had very plain rooms, books, a doll or two, a few teddy bears and posters.

Being a latch key kid I did watch a LOT Of television but I don’t recall any toy ads during them.  I do have to admit I would do my homework during the commercials so maybe I was occupied and not paying attention and I didn’t watch kid cartoons.  I watched Little House, What’s Happenning, Gilligan’s Island, HBO, etc…  I wanted toys in general but not anything specific to my recollection.

As far as what I’d do, I think my response would be: not much.

I can’t imagine going very far to get a toy for my kids.  I feel there are enough issues in the world, children without food, etc… If companies don’t make enough toys to meet demand then my kids will have to wait until demand dies down.  I would call around maybe, drive an hour or so to pick up if it was really all the hotness.

I’d be much more likely to buy online, especially during a FREE Shipping Blitz!  now through August 2, you can shop Hasbro’s Hot Summer Toys and get free shipping!  You can trust Hasbro, not one of their toys has been linked to the concerns on lead in children’s toys! Check out Hasbro’s Safety Standards. 

I am seriously contemplating the Baby Alive items, Furreal Friends stuff and Monopoly game.  If you’d like to read about more parent experiences in toy shopping head on over to PBN.  I can’t help but be impressed with Hasbro, for every toy purchased during their Hot Summer Toys Event, they will donate one (up to $400,000) to economically disadvantaged children.

I cannot wait!  we’ll be going on a road trip to Disney next month.  It’s gonna be so much fun, right?!

yeah, we’re gonna show our tots the country, or at least the view from the highway.  We’re going to stop and see grandma in North Carolina along the way and then it’s 7 nights at the Pop Resort.  I’m really hoping it’s gonna be fun to see the kids’ faces light up when we go to the Magic Kingdom.

We went with the dining plan, I hope that was the right decision, now I just have to see about how to get reservations for all the breakfasts.  I found some really good sites so far.

Mouse Savers

Dis Boards

Mom Panel

How’s summer going people?  hope all is well, I’ve been drooling over some things online and need to post all this in one place to know which way to turn.  I’ve been purging my closet to the point where I have NOTHING left to wear, it’s absolutely ridiculous I tell you.

First off the mainstay of my lifestyle is JEANS.  I recently saw a video showcasing PZI jeans. The jeans made for women with some junk in the trunk.  All you need is a booty and a contoured waist, simple enough. 

When I was youner I perfected how to put a seam in my jeans.  I learned from my cousins in Brazil… it’s super easy but it’s much simpler to buy the jeans that fit from the beginning, right?!  so that’s where PZI comes in.  I haven’t bought any yet but it seems you buy from your waist size, there’s 2 inches of stretch f

Thirteen Things about PajamaMomPajama Mom… 1. is originally from Queens, New York 2. is currently planning a Disney vacation for immediate departure 3. loves classic television shows 4. dreams of being on some kind of television game show 5. needs to lose weight, 50 pounds would be good 6. loves to eat Captain Crunch 7. watches too much reality tv 8. loves to blog 9. wants to work from home 10. loves to make friends 11. dreams of milk chocolate cake 12. is too cheap to get a pro pedicure 13. needs to get some sleep!

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My kids have been loving Doodle Doug, we’ve seen the commercials for so long. I finally broke down when girl2004 went to redeem her $3 birthday coupon.  Doodle Doug was marked down to about $5 so I was expecting to pay $2.xx out of pocket and very happy with that situation.  When the cashier announced the total, $.36 I was floored.  The box was damaged a little so maybe they discounted it further.  Anyway, he works very well, his head is wobbly and falls off quite a bit, but other than that you just need a big sheet of paper and let him entertain.

Hope you get one at a great price!

Once upon a time, a man and a lady spent lots of time away from home.  Beach trips, site seeing and club hopping topped the list.  Every few months they went on a new adventure to a distant land.  After 6 years of marriage boy2001 joined the family and the vacations turned into memories.  There were diapers to buy and a college fund to build.

They made little side trips to Montreal & Quebec and visited family in Florida and New York but the all American family vacation didn’t happen. 

Ok, enough with the fairytale, you get the point, we led a charmed life, travel, disposable income, etc…  then we became a one income military household with child.  We’ve taken two full-blown vacations since that special delivery in 2001.  The first was a Carnival Cruise in 2003.  Boy2001 had a BLAST, we loved the childcare, it was my first time EVER being away from him and they did a great job.  Totally amazing experience, it was all inclusive which was wonderful, once you pay you’re done.

The second vacation was in May 2007 we packed all three kids up to go to France.  That’s right, we added not one but two girls since our last vacay! It was wonderful for us to see the sites and introduce the kids to the history of France.  The kids were most impressed with the Eiffel Tower and castles, they still talk about it all the time.   It was of course a very expensive trip, even with family in the area to feed us a few meals and give us great advice.  Well worth it of course but getting further out of reach for most people with the dollar being so weak.

It makes sense to look for all-inclusive deals that will feed, lodge, entertain and make you and your kids feel well rested and relaxed. Beaches Resorts is offering just that!  There are swim-up bars, tennis, fitness centers, not to mention anytime snacks, gourmet and specialty cuisine restaurants for you to choose from.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner without shopping, chopping or dishes.

Roundtrip airport transfers, hotel taxes and ALL gratuities are included in the price.  All of this is great but what will the kids think?  I know mine would go crazy for the muppet activities aka Caribbean Adventures with Sesame Street®.  Some of the adventures are story time with Elmo, baking cookies with Cookie Monster?!! Dance moves with Zoe, exploring with Grover.  Girl2004 and Girl2006 would lose it, they’re completely into the characters but I think even boy2001 would allow himself to get involved with these activitites if he was with his sisters. 

I know all the kids would fully enjoy trips to the XBOX 360® Game Garage, we broke out the old Nintendo 64 and I was shocked at how quickly boy2001 and girl2004 picked up on it.  By now you may be thinking, my family could use a Beaches vacation.

  where do I sign up?

Just visit the Beaches Resort WonderFall website to request a quote on your favorite resort.  The WonderFALL celebration will take place between September 1 and November 4, 2008, save up to 45% and get two nights free (when you stay 7). Check out all the contests, goodie bags a new stage show and more on Beaches’ WonderFALL website and please keep me posted if you do go!  You must book by July 17th to get the special pricing.  Choose from family Beaches Boscobel, Sandy Bay, Negril, Turks & Caicos.

This is written in connection with Mom Central, a great organization for women who want to be heard.

 

Little House on the Prairie is my favorite show of all time.  I can’t help it, just like an old friend, the good people of Walnut Grove are always there.  I absolutely love “ma” played by Karen Grassle.  I’ve always thought she was a handsome woman as they would have said back in the old days.  Now I think she is just beautiful… so natural and her features are so average but the look all together is flawless!  anyway, here’s the vid that I’ve watched at least 100 times featuring Karen Grassle.

I self tagged myself from the Super Goddess.  I was just talking about this verse to the kids a few days ago.  I don’t think they truly understand how much they have because they get so much, even without being excessive, they have no idea what it’s like not to have anything, not to know if you’re going to eat tonight, or have clean clothes in the morning or…  anyway, here’s the story.

— The Best Gift Ever —

A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer’s showroom and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted. As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car.

Finally, on the morning of his graduation his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautiful wrapped gift box. Curious, but somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man’s name embossed in gold. Angrily, he raised his voice to his father and said, “With all your money you give me a Bible?” And stormed out of the house, leaving the Bible.

Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day. Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things. When he arrived at his father’s house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart.

He began to search through his father’s important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. His father had carefully underlined a verse, Matt 7:11, “And if ye, being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly father which is in heaven, give to those who ask Him?” As he read those words, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer’s name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words… PAID IN FULL.

How many times do we miss God’s blessing because they are not packaged as we expected? I trust you enjoyed this. Pass it on to others. Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for…

Lesson learned:  Taking the time to appreciate all that we have.  We must also accept gifts, even if we don’t *think* we want them.

This is the way I brush my teeth

brush my teeth

brush my teeth

this is the way I brush my teeth

early in the morning/ right after dinner/when mommy makes me!

We have toothbrushing issues, it’s usually me singing this song and begging my kids to brush their teeth.  It’s weird, they are just “too busy” to stop and brush their teeth.  Anyway, I know they’ll catch on some day, or at least I hope! 

I for one AM happy to brush my teeth, and especially pleased now that I’ve found Recycline’s Preserve Everyday toothbrushes.  Here are just some of the reasons I’m thrilled:

• made from recycled plastic like yogurt cups
• nylon bristles that come in Medium, Soft and Ultra Soft
• the packaging tube has vent holes and can be used as a carrying case, great for purse, travel, gym or just to keep the dust off at home
• FREE! postage-paid return to the Recycline so the plastic handles and case can be used in plastic lumber that will create picnic tables and more
• Only $2 @ your local Target!
• ergonomic handle that feels comfortable in hand
• downloadable coupon for $1 off 2 toothbrushes

What more do you need to know?  get one of these and encourage all your friends to do the same, then mail in all at the same time to save shipping energy! 

 Win Tickets to Disney Music Block Party from MomLogic!

Favorite family entertainment from They Might Be Giants, Imagination Movers, Barenaked Ladies, Dan Zanes, Ralph’s World, and Choo Choo Soul will be performing live! 

Disney Music Block Party Tour schedule and locations:

July 27th party at the Toms River Festival, Toms River NJ

July 30th party at the Merriweather Post Pavilion, Baltimore, MD

August 3rd party at the Sweetbriar Field, Philadelphia, PA

August 6th party at the Rentschler Field, Hartford, CT

August 9th party at Toyota Park practice field, Chicago, IL

August 13th party at Crew Stadium, Columbus, OH

August 17th party at Downsview Park, Toronto, ON

August 20th party at Meadowbrook Music Festival, Detroit, MI

August 24th party at Nassau Coliseum, Long Island, NY

Head over to momlogic to enter for your chance to win free tickets to an event near you!