Win $100 Kohl’s gift card with Elf On The Shelf !

My son loves his elf.  He looks forward to coming down in the morning and seeing where his elf is, and what he has been up to.  I like that he elf watches what he is up to, and reports back to Santa.  Nothing better then a straight line to the big man himself.

Elf on the Shelf

So much to choose from!

My son named his new elf Tom, and since we like to travel, Tom does as well. Tom has proven to be a hardy fellow, handling suitcases, backpacks, car rides, and even plane travel with relative ease.   I suppose when you are used to flying around to and from the North Pole, Pennsylvania and Puerto Rico aren’t that big of a deal.

Elf on the Shelf

Tinsel, Tom, and Amy take a trip with us to Great Wolf Lodge. Bob the Reindeer stayed home to guard the house.

Once Tom came to our house, it was time to get him ready for Christmas.  Thankfully, we have a Kohl’s nearby, and they have everything an elf could want for the holiday season. Have you seen the new Claus Couture Collection?  Perhaps your elf wants to doll up on occasion, not just wear his or her same old red elf outfit day in and day out.  There are quite a few outfits to choose from. Perhaps your elf wants a friend, a reindeer to fly back to the North Pole at night with.  (The new pet reindeer come with their own charm and cute story book as well.)  Maybe your child and elf want a friend in common- an elf friend that can snuggle up at night, that doesn’t need to fly back to the North Pole at all, but stays at home with you.  So many options to choose from!

Elf on the Shelf

Tinsel and Tom, dressed in holiday finery, waiting in the tree in our hotel room after flying back to Santa one night.

Then there are pajamas for your child (perfect for Christmas and the whole winter season), and flatware, take along cups, games, and more.  There is so much to choose from, and all to help you get your “Elf on the Shelf” on.

Elf on the Shelf toys

Some of the “extras” my son chose- a pet reindeer, an outfit for him, and a snuggly Elf on the Shelf he named Amy.

My son has really enjoyed the new items and his new elf.  He had a great time choosing new items, new friends, and reading all about them.  His favorite thing, however, has been all the adventures they have taken together.

Elf on the Shelf book

It’s Elf on the Shelf time! Getting his new elf and reindeer out of the boxes and asking mommy to read the books.

As Christmas Eve approaches, he knows his new buddies will soon be going home until next year. (Well, except Amy- she gets to stay and help make “Welcome Back!” cookies when they arrive.)  While he will be sad to see them go, he can send them letters and get updates from them throughout the year, and we can’t wait to see them again when they return.

elf pets

Bob the Reindeer and his book that explains all about him and his travels.

If you haven’t gotten your Elf On The Shelf yet, there is still time!  If you have your elf, you can grab these fun “extras” as well, just head to Kohl’s – let your child help choose, it really thrills them.

Happy Holidays from me and mine to you and yours.

One of you can win a $100 Kohl’s Gift Card.  Feel free to enter by using the RC form below.  Good luck!  Ends Dec. 31, 2015.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Great Holiday Gifts for Kids

Looking for the perfect gift for the little ones in your life?  Check out some of these hot new toys, and grab them before they are snapped up.

pic7

Have you ever heard of Wubble?  The nifty ball/bubble/balloons that are part bubble, part ball, part wiggly fun.  Wubble is now not only in the form of the regular Wubble which can inflate up to 3 feet, but now includes the WubbleX and Glo Wubble.

he Wubble X is very similar to the original Wubble but inflates to a portion of its size with the included helium can.  The addition of helium instead of air or CO2 makes a big difference.  Now your Wubble floats around the room, sticking to ceilings and overturned hands as if by magic.  The Glo Wubble brings the familiar Wubble to night time play – the big, bouncy bubble now glows as it floats around.  These are great fun at night or in a play room with the lights out.  Wubble balls retail for $19.99 each and the original and Glo Wubble include a pump while the Wubble X retails for $7.99 and the helium can retails for $7.99.

pic6

If you are looking to help your youngster get ahead in school, take a look at the Kurio Smart™ tablet, the first Windows kids’ tablet available.  Is is a child-appropriate 2-in-1 tablet/computer that comes with a “detachable keyboard, one-year of Microsoft Office and anti-virus protection, plus $200 worth of additional content” (as per packaging), has parental tools to keep kids safe, and retails for $199.99.  The attractive price as well as the functionality of the Kurio Smart makes it a great first computer. It can be used as a tablet if removed from the keyboard, so it’s still good for entertainment purposes as well. Grab yours at http://www.kurioworld.com/ , there are a few other options available as well- see what’s right for your child.

pic5

Peanuts Happy Dance Snoopy is not only adorable, but timely.  With the new movie out about a month ago, kids are falling in love with this happy hound all over again (and so are adults of all ages).  Just Play has just released an adorable plush Happy Dance Snoopy, who dances to the “Peanuts” theme song (aka “Linus and Lucy”) when you squeeze his paw.  He kisses, too- just smooch him, and he will give one back (or a laugh, howl- even a burp).  He’s a dog, after all.  Snoopy is a lot of fun- I like him as much as my son does, if we are being honest. He retails for $29.99 at stores like Target and Amazon.

pic4

Moose Toys has created Qixels, a fun craft aimed at boys who were left out of the bead and water trend until recently.  The Qixels Turbo Dryer is a fun new activity set where kids can use their imagination or follow directions to make predetermined patterns with cubes that fuse together water. When they “set”, they make an 8-bit looking creation that games like Minecraft have made popular once again. Make monsters, ninjas, zombies- whatever your heart desires.  Qixels alone can air dry, but with the The Turbo Dryer, they dry in half the time (because we all know kids don’t love waiting). You can pick yours up for $19.99 in stores like Toys R Us.  I’d give this to elementary age or up, and with supervision for younger kids due to small pieces.

pic3

Kids are loving the tech pets craze right now, and one of the cutest is Little Live Pets CleverKeet. This sweetie pie just flew into the Little Live Pets™ pet shop and would love to be adopted by your family this holiday season.  Name your pretty bird, and he or she will remember it.   You will receive an included adoption certificate to make your new pet officially yours.  He likes to dance in front of the mirror, just like a real bird.  He knows all sorts of words and will answer your questions (in often silly ways), and he sings as well, of course.  CleverKeet comes with one CleverKeet bird, one playground (he loves to swing!), one cart, one instruction booklet and adoption certificate, for $59.99.

Gift giving with CARE

The holiday season is upon us and as such it is time to get gifts for those near and dear to your heart.  Some people are easy to shop for.  The Star Wars fan, gets Star Wars fun the reader gets a new e reader.  But one of the most difficult people to shop for are often those who put all their effort into helping others.  The donators, the volunteers, we all have at least on in your families. hopefully.

pic5

I do have a few tips on what to get these special people in our lives.  One option is the Gifts of Lasting Change from CARE.  With the ability to find a gift ranging from a goat for a family in need that provides milk to a tap of clean water to a school.  The donations vary in price and type.  Each Gift of Lasting Change represents a small piece of CARE’s enormous body of work, which last year helped 72 million in 90 countries with poverty-fighting programs focused on empowering girls and women.  With each purchase you have the option to either send the recipient a personalized e-card to or to download and print a paper card to mail. And because CARE is a non-profit, all gift purchases are 100% tax-deductible.  In his recent column on holiday gift-giving in the New York Times, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and filmmaker Nicholas Kristof recommended supporting CARE’s work promoting girls’ education.

CARE celebrated the 70th anniversary of its founding on November 27. CARE was founded in the aftermath of World War II to send relief to Europeans left starving and homeless by the deadliest-ever human conflict. Actor Matt Dillon recently narrated an inspiring short video about CARE’s history that explains how CARE was founded with the creation of the CARE Package, and how the concept of the CARE Package has evolved through the decades. Today the box symbolizes lasting change.

CARE has endured not simply because there are people in need still, but because there will always be people willing to give of themselves to make a difference in people’s lives. To Give a Gift of Lasting Change to a loved one is to tell someone that they inspire you to do good for others.

Be sure to check it out and finish up those last minute gifts.

 

 

Got a Peanuts Fan? You Will Love the Vermont Country Store

Have you seen the new Peanuts movie yet?  It’s hard to believe there is a new one out- but even if you haven’t, surely you and your family love watching the Christmas Special every year.  It’s definitely one of our favorites, and is for our parents as well.

pic3

The Vermont Country Store (with physical locations as well as online store) has an exclusive Peanuts Collection of apparel, holiday cheer, and home décor – just in time for the holidays. Here are some of my favorites:

Peanuts Portable Record Player: Vintage-looking, lightweight, great sound, compatible with digital devices and made by Crosley – plus to go with it, a holiday record from the Peanuts gang too!

Super Soft Pajamas:  Available for men, boys, women, and girls and decorated with exclusive prints

Peanuts Christmas Clock: Sings holiday carols on the hour – but also has a light sensor so that the Peanuts gang keeps quiet when the lights are out!

Winter Flannel Sheets Set: Check out the gang skiing and having fun on soft Portuguese flannel sheets

Campfire Night Light: Snoopy and Linus, an adorable night light – the campfire flickers and adds a glow to the room

pic6

There are so many more options to choose from.  We got my son a pair of the super-soft pajamas, and he just loves them.  Let me tell you, the name doesn’t lie- they are as soft as they claim to be. He is so snugly in them, he gets extra cuddles from mommy-  and he doesn’t mind yet, I think I still have a year or two before he whines at me for that, LOL.

pic4

They also came beautifully packaged- you can send them as a gift easily, and the recipient will be thrilled.  Even if you buy them for yourself or your children, it really does feel like opening a gift- it felt “special” when you opened it.  These would be such a fun “family” holiday greeting card photo or Christmas eve matching set, and it feels so nice against your skin.

Vermont Country Store

He was so excited, I couldn’t get him to stay still for photos, LOL

We loved these PJ’s- so much so, that we are likely going to be placing another order shortly.  We are thinking sheets and one of those super fluffy blankets for the bed- ours are in need of a winter upgrade, methinks.  The store is really fun to browse in, and even more fun to shop at.  This is the perfect time of year to place an order- anyone from Vermont knows a think or two about making winter a little warmer.

More About Vermont Country Store

Vermont Country Store is  a new England staple when it comes to quality home, outdoor, and food products. Their brand is kind of a throwback to a simpler time, and has a unique New England practicality. It’s also important to note that most of their products are exclusives or are hard to find elsewhere.

Visit Santa AND Shrek at the Cherry Crest Mall

Have your kids visited Santa this year?  How about a recent Shrek and Donkey visit?  No?  If you are in the general area, why not shake things up a bit and take not only a Santa photo, but a journey as well?  Complete with your favorite Dreamworks characters Shrek, Donkey, and friends.

santa and shrek

You get a whole experience, not just a quickie Santa’s lap visit and photo. Wait, no, the best part is that you don’t’ have to wait on a zillion hour line. You RSVP online for a time slot, show up, and go in. The line can be very short up to about a half hour.  Maybe the best part is that the kids were REALLY excited about all the stuff they got to do while on the journey, or that the price for the tour and photos are not any higher then they were for a typical Santa photo (The cost for a single photo with Santa at Radio City Music Hall is $25. At our local mall, it’s $20. Here, you get a a package of photos of your choice, in a variety of sizes, for $35.) There are a lot of “Best Parts”….It’s hard to choose the best-best part.
[Read more…]

VeggieTales Christmas Books #VeggieTales

Can you believe that Christmas is right around the corner? One of my favorite things during this season is the love and laughter in the air. The spirit of Christmas is full of kindness, sharing and forgiveness. VeggieTales Christmas themed soundboard books are a great way to remember and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas with your children.

My son loves VeggieTales- the TV show, movies, live show, and of course the books.  These cute singing veggies are a great way to bring the reason for the season to your family.  It’s easy to get caught up with the material things, the hustle and bustle, and all the rush-rush of the holidays- sometimes, we really need to take a moment and remember what it’s really about, and to be grateful for all we have and what we’ve been given.

VeggieTales Christmas themed soundboard books are a fun and interactive way to teach children the true meaning of Christmas.

pic3

About the books

Silent Night:

Join Junior Asparagus, Laura Carrot, and all your favorite VeggieTales characters as they stage a Nativity play based on the lyrics of “Silent Night.” Silent Night teaches children about Jesus’ birth and is a fun, great way to keep children talking, and singing, about the true meaning of Christmas.

pic4

Away in a Manger:

Join the VeggieTales character as they star in this colorful retelling of the birth of Jesus, featuring the lyrics of “Away in a Manger,” sung by Junior Asparagus. This fun-yet-reverent Nativity book is a great way to keep little ones talking – and singing – about the true meaning of Christmas.

You can follow Veggie Tales on social media as well-

Website: www.veggietales.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VeggieTales

Instagram: @veggietalesofficial

Twitter: https://twitter.com/VeggieTales

Join the conversation: #VeggieTales

These books are available in stores everywhere, as well as online and on Amazon and Barnes and Nobel. They are easy to pick up, not expensive, and a great way to remind your kids of the real meaning of Christmas. Merry Christmas to you and yours from me and mine.

Get Your Loved Ones a Membership to the Newark Museum

NJ Museum

Founded in 1909 as an institution of art, science and industry by famed museologist John Cotton Dana, the Newark Museum is New Jersey’s largest museum, and one of the most influential museums in the United States. Bringing together art and science, the Museum allows for an educational and inspirational journey through 80 galleries of world-class collections including American, Asian, African and Classical. The Museum boasts the largest collection of Tibetan art in the Western hemisphere, the 1885 National Register Ballantine House, and one of the leading collections of American Modernism in the country.

The Museum complex also includes the Victoria Hall of Science, the Alice and Leonard Dreyfuss Planetarium, the Junior Museum, the Billy Johnson Auditorium, the Alice Ransom Dreyfuss Memorial Garden, an authentic Schoolhouse from 1784, and the Newark Fire Museum.

The Newark Museum’s distinguished art collections are international in scope and importance, and include 18th- to 20th-century American Painting and Sculpture; an important collection of Decorative Arts including the nation’s most acclaimed collection of pots; the Arts of Global Africa; a world-renowned Asian Art collection; Classical Antiquities, representing Egyptian, Greek, Etruscan and Roman societies and an unparalleled collection of ancient glass. The Museum’s holdings in the Natural Sciences include a far ranging 75,000-specimen collection.

The Newark Museum is a nationally recognized leader in arts education, with one of the most impressive museum education programs in the country. Offerings include lectures, gallery talks, group and public tours, classes and arts workshops for adults and children. Most drop-in art and science programs are free.

PURCHASE A GIFT MEMBERSHIP TODAY!

Visit our website at www.newarkmuseum.org or contact Membership Department at 973.596.6686 or lbyrd@newarkmuseum.org

Entenmann’s and Sara Lee Snacks for the Holidays

It may be the most wonderful time of the year, but at  times, it can also feel like the most stressful. Holiday  season can make everyone a little crazy. Between shopping, entertaining, holiday parties and every day  life, schedules are constantly booked and families are always running around.

pic4

Using already prepared foods is one of the simplest ways to create holiday bakery delights. This season, Kathleen Robbins, head baker at Entenmann’s and Sara Lee Snacks, is introducing half way to the holiday’s recipes, which are easy to make and save time during all of the holiday madness.

Founded in 1898, Entenmann’s bakery has over 100 sweet baked goods, including a wide variety of delicious donuts. The Entenmann’s Dreamy Chocolate Bars feature the Entenmann’s classic Rich Frosted Donut. This cake-style donut is drenched in rich, wonderfully smooth chocolate. Bite into one, hear the crack of the Rich Frosted shell and enjoy the soft yellow cake interior.

Baked into a delicious chocolate bar, the Entenmann’s Rich Frosted donut is mixed together with flaked coconut, caramel popcorn and a few other ingredients, guaranteed to be a delicious delight your family will enjoy. Double the batch and have an extra on hand for the perfect hostess gift. Check out the recipe here!

pic3

The Entenmann’s name has stood for the finest quality in baked goods and that same commitment extends to the Entenmann’s single serve coffee selections. Working with the finest coffee growers around the world, selecting only 100% Arabica beans and roasting them into small batches ensures consistent quality coffee with every roast. Packaged immediately after roasting to lock in freshness, Entenmann’s coffee cups, available in classic and dessert flavors, are great for Holiday entertaining and were created to be the perfect complement to Entenmann’s baked foods or savored on their own any time of day.

pic6

Sara Lee, the iconic American brand, delivers a new way to snack with fresh baked, individually wrapped snack cakes. Do you love brownies? How about chocolate chip cookies? If you said yes to either, then the Sara Lee Snacks Brownie Chocolate Chip cakes are perfect for you! With rich fudge brownies and sweet chocolate chips, this cake was made to please all chocoholics! The Sara Lee Snacks Brownie Chocolate Chip Cake Jar features the Brownie Chocolate Chip cakes, put together with whipped cream, chocolate pudding and hot fudge. This easy “how-to” is the perfect treat for home and will be a hit for all of those holiday parties!