Danielle - Busy Moms Helper

Pet Clean Up Made Easy

January 18, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

This awesome pet cleaning post is sponsored by Swiffer. All opinions are mine alone. #DontSweatYourPet #SwifferFanatic

Y’all know how much we love our dogs, all four of them. They complete our family, and provide plenty of snuggles, loves and goofy moments – that being said, they also provide quite the mess in our home! All that shedding and the paw-prints really can be frustrating, but luckily it doesn’t prevent us from enjoying our furry pups! Here’s some ways Pet Clean Up is Made Easy so you can focus on the GREAT things about pet ownership.

If you’re like us, you’re among the 59% of pet owners who feel that their pets help make their house feel like a home. It just wouldn’t be the same without them, so it’s a bit sad that 70% of Americans (and 75% of pet-less parents) say that their concerns over pet messes may prevent them from adopting a pet. Now, I know there are some really great reasons out there that pet ownership may not be for you, but I hope I can show you how the messes shouldn’t be a large factor in that important decision!

Having had dogs for over 5 years now, we’ve learned how to make the clean up not only easy, but QUICK – because busy parents like us just don’t have a lot of time to be cleaning – but even the savviest pet owners may need help to see why they shouldn’t sweat it when it comes to their furry friends.

Since we’re making a pledge to stress less about the pet hair all over our floors this year, and handling it quickly and easily instead of making it a huge hassle, the first thing we’re doing is dividing up the work. Each week is someone else’s turn in our home to do the floors, while we also rotate dusting (especially the stairs – because boy does the dog hair like to collect on there!). For the stairs, ledges and baseboard-type spots we love how quick (and fun, according to my kids) the Swiffer Dusters Heavy Duty Pet Refills work.

Just grab a duster, fluff it up, then swipe it away at those pet hairs – it picks them up so well, and leaves your edges looking wonderful! Even the pets kind of like these fluffy yellow things, though I don’t think they appreciate it as much as we do 🙂

The floors were the biggest stress, but luckily we tackle that easily now. Whoever is in charge of the floors for the week just pulls out our Sweeper Dry and Wet and the Pet Dry Refills with Febreze Odor Defense (that are amazing, and Trap + Lock all that dirt and pet hair – you can find them at Kroger) and sweep away. It’s actually kind of fun to watch them do the swishing, back-and-forth motion with it!

After that, for the dirty pup prints, the Wet Pet Refill works amazing at wiping those up in a jiffy, leaving our pretty floors shining. Plus, the tough green strip is perfect when there’s a spot that needs a little extra scrubbing. I love it!

Being a pet owner, I know there will always be a mess (plus kids – so there’s that!). When we first got a dog we had to spend a ton of time cleaning all the dog hair and paw prints, but we don’t mind at all now because with Swiffer it’s so quick and simple!

Now that we spend less time cleaning up after our pets, we can enjoy a lot more time with our family – including our furry friends!

What’s your trick for quick pet clean up?

Childcare at Disney World

January 16, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

Childcare has always been a strong feature in a Walt Disney World vacation. After all, children are a major factor in the creation and enjoyment of the Disney Parks! Sometimes mom and dad need a date night, though, so Disney has historically made that possible through kids clubs within various resorts. Unfortunately, that all came to an end earlier last year – however, there are still ways that Disney makes it possible to enjoy some time separate from catering to the needs of you little ones. Below is some info on Childcare at Disney World to help you out!

Photos used with permission from Disney.

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Pixar Play Zone

While the kids clubs have been done away with, the Contemporary Resort now offers a very immersive and entertaining experience for children that includes character encounters, fun games and activities and dinner as well. If you’re planning a special night for two and need to make arrangements for the kids, this is probably the best thing you could do for everybody involved! If you play it right, they won’t even know you’re doing it for you! The experience is $65 plus tax and runs from 6:00p-10:30p.

In-Room Babysitting

Another option you may choose to employ, depending on the length of time you plan to be out, is in-room babysitting. This is offered through Kids Nite Out and has a starting rate of $18 per hour for the first child. There’s a raise of $2 more per hour for each additional kid and the rate increases by $2 per hour after 9:00p. There’s also a $10 transportation fee. If you’re comparing to Pixar Play Zone, under the precise circumstances In-Room babysitting is $108 for one child as opposed to $65 plus tax. Whereas the other Disney World child care options are for children 4-12, this option is available to babies as young as 6 months.

Baby Center

Every Park in Disney World has a Baby Center. These are lifesavers if you need a little extra time or space to prepare food for your baby or toddler. Baby centers are a restful place for feeding, changing and finding some quiet time. This is also the place children are taken to if, heaven forbid, they’re separated from their parents.

The Baby Center in Magic Kingdom is on the left side of the hub between Casey’s Corner and Adventureland. They have plenty of room and high chairs. There’s even a regularly playing Disney Movie and some activities for kids!

The Baby Center in Epcot is not as good, but still functional. It’s located at the halfway point between Test Track and the Mexico Pavilion where Future World and World Showcase meet.

The Baby Center in Hollywood Studios is to your immediate left as you enter the park.

In Animal Kingdom park it’s located on the left side of Discovery Island near the bridge to Africa.

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In Park Assistance

Few people are aware of this, but you can even reserve a child care specialist to accompany you to the parks and provide assistance as needed! This is accomplished through Kids Nite Out. The same rates apply and are subject to change.

Treasure Hunt

Another way for the little ones to have some fun without the parents is to go on a treasure hunt. There are pirate cruises that depart in either Crescent Lake or 7 Seven Seas Lagoon. These kids-only cruises involve snacks, stories, character meet and greets, and – of course – hidden treasure. The two hour swashbuckling adventures run from $39-$49 per child.

Have you tried any of these Disney World childcare options?

Easy Potato Soup & Cider Recipe

January 14, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

Thank you Idahoan® Steakhouse® Soups for sponsoring this post. Enjoy the flavorful, slow-cooked taste of restaurant-quality soup at home, in minutes.

While I’m grateful to live in a place warmer than Utah now, it’s still been plenty cold here lately with a bit of freezing rain this month. I don’t know about you, but when it gets cold I have even less of a desire to spend forever cooking – but, we still have to eat, right? Luckily we can still make a delicious and comforting (aka: nice and warm!) meal with this Easy Potato Soup & Cider Recipe! with hardly any effort required, you can whip up a family-pleasing dish in practically no time at all, meaning more time you can spend wrapped up in that blanket.

Okay, so maybe us moms don’t ACTUALLY have time to just lounge around wrapped in a blanket – but you know I’m gonna try to stay as comfy and bundled as possible once the temperatures get into the 30’s and 40’s here! That’s one reason this meal is so perfect – the apple cider cooks in your slow cooker a few hours, making the house smell like cinnamon and deliciousness. Meanwhile the Idahoan Steakhouse® Soups cook in just 5 minutes, and are full of flavorful seasonings and rich cheeses – not to mention real Idaho® potatoes – giving you a creamy, hearty flavor with every bite. All you have to do is add water, making it about as easy as a quality meal can be!

Are you in for several weeks of chilly weather in your area? Don’t worry, you can enjoy more than one tasty meal that’s easy to make and brings warming comfort to your family because Idahoan Steakhouse Soups offer a variety of great flavors, such as Loaded Potato (which we enjoyed for this particular dinner), Creamy Potato, Cheddar Broccoli (my favorite!!) and Cheddar Potato. So many options to choose from, but since they’re quick to cook maybe just whip up a variety and let your family test out their favorites!

Apple Cider Recipe

Ingredients

Large Container Apple Juice
3-4 Cinnamon Sticks, plus some for garnish as desired
Caramel Syrup, if desired

Directions

Pour the apple juice into your slow cooker.
Add 3-4 cinnamon sticks.
Cook on low for 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally to spread the cinnamon flavor throughout.
When serving, add a bit of caramel syrup as desired – enjoy!

When your cider is close to done, grab your flavor choice of Idahoan Steakhouse Soup and follow the directions on the back. For our Loaded Potato, I simply had to boil 4 cups of water (for 1 package), whisk in the contents of the pack, lower heat and simmer (uncovered) for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then remove it from the heat and let cool about 5 minutes. That’s all it takes, guys!

I’m a huge fan of things that help make our busy lives easier, so of course I not only love the great, slow-cooked, full-of-flavor taste of Idahoan Steakhouse Soups – but also being able to give my family restaurant-quality soup right in our home in just minutes! They really help make comfort easy, despite the chilly temps outside.

What’s your favorite cold-weather drink recipe?

Spicy Thai Chicken Wraps

January 11, 2019 by Danielle 2 Comments

My Hubby is a Google+ addict. Not over-the-top crazy, but it’s the social media he prefers. I’m often found browsing Pinterest and Facebook, he’s on G+. What’s awesome, though, is when he comes across a good idea for a recipe on there, and we can add it to our menu. That’s what happened with these Spicy Thai Chicken Wraps!

I’m so glad he found the inspiration for this recipe because it was totally delish! He’s a spicy-lover, and I’m not…yet it was just the right amount for both of us. Not sure how it worked out that way, but it was perfect! These Thai Chicken Wraps are a great meal, or just serve the chicken alongside some pasta or veggies.

Ingredients – Sauce

8 tbsp. (1 jar) Red Curry Paste (found in the aisle near soy sauce and such)
8 tbsp. Sugar
4 tsp. Apple Cider Vinegar (regular Cider Vinegar is fine)
4 tbsp. Tomato Soup
4 tbsp. Water
4 tsp. Sesame Oil
4 tsp. Garlic Powder
1-2 tsp. Red Pepper Flakes

Ingredients – Other

6 Chicken Breasts, cut into strips
1 cup Tomatoes, diced
1 cup Mozzarella, shredded
Tortillas for Wrap (I used Spinach & Herb Tortillas)
Toppings: Tomatoes, Cheese, Lettuce, etc.

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 Degrees F. Spray or line a large baking pan. Place Chicken strips in pan.
In a medium bowl, mix all of the sauce ingredients well. Pour over chicken in pan.
Sprinkle the Mozzarella and Tomato dices over the top of the chicken. Bake for 30-45 minutes, or until cooked through.
Make wrap as desired, and enjoy!

5 Best Places to Rest in Magic Kingdom

January 9, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

During the course of your busy day running all around Disney Parks, you will likely need a break for at least someone in your party (such as an exhausted toddler or worn out spouse). The park gets hot and crowded, not to mention all that walking tends to wear you down. If your day is getting not so fun, consider taking a short break in one of these 5 Best Places to Rest in Magic Kingdom!

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Swiss Family Treehouse

At the base of the Swiss family Treehouse there are benches in the shade that most people are too busy to notice as they run into Adventureland. That’s alright, because that makes it a great place to take a break in Magic Kingdom. In addition to the shaded benches the area is also close to Sunshine Tree Terrace, so it’s a convenient place to enjoy a Citrus Swirl as well. There are plenty of other food kiosks in the park that have available seating, but they’re either too popular or lack the same quality scenery.

Pete’s Silly Sideshow

Well, next to anyway. There’s a large tent in Dumbo’s Storybook Circus that serves no other purpose right now than as a place to take a break in Magic Kingdom. The open space is completely shaded and there are plenty of chairs for sitting. This is a great location because it’s near the back of the park and more or less in the center. It’s a convenient place to catch your breath at a point where you may need the break.

On The Liberty Belle

I love this solution when I’m feeling worn out and need to take a break in Magic Kingdom. A slow scenic float around the rivers of America is great for recharging my batteries. This is just like taking a break in a bench except the scenery moves, and sometimes you can get a nice breeze. The Walt Disney World Railroad is also a relaxing choice, however, for the scenery it is not nearly as good as the riverboat. One advantage to taking the train, however is that it can drop you at the other side of the park and you don’t have to walk.

Catch a Show

Another way you can take a break in Magic Kingdom while crossing some attractions off your to do list is to take in a show. If you plot your day right you can do several shows in a short time. The shows are continuously running, which means short but relaxing waits, followed by a relaxing show in an air conditioned space. The Enchanted Tiki Room and The Country Bear Jamboree are in close proximity and not far from them is the Hall of Presidents.

“it’s a small world”

I know, not everyone’s absolute favorite (but it’s a classic, come on!), but it’s so nice to rest in a smooth boat ride full of music and fun displays to entertain you. Plus, another ride checked off the list while you rest your tired feet – bonus!

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Columbia Harbor House

If you want to grab some refreshments and have an indoor break Columbia Harbor House will serve nicely. This is a counter service restaurant near the Haunted Mansion in Liberty Square. If you go upstairs you will find plenty of seating. This is a relatively quiet place to enjoy a meal in comfort and regroup before heading back out to finish the rest of your day in the Magic Kingdom. There are other quick service eateries around Magic Kingdom as well, but this is the most peaceful and relaxing location for now.

Where’s your favorite place to rest in Magic Kingdom?

Family Home Command Center

January 7, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

With a family of 7, it can be really challenging to keep all of our schedules organized (and not forget all the random events or tasks). Luckily, we spent the weekend putting up this awesome Family Home Command Center that’s been a lifesaver! Not only is it functional, but looks amazing on this big wall on the side of our stairs.

As we’ve been *finally* adding photos and decor to our walls in this house (like our fun entryway with our new family photos), I knew I wanted a central area to help keep our family a bit more organized. A big dry erase calendar was a total MUST for me, because as the kids get older there seems to be more and more activities every month – I need help to stay on top of it all!

And for those of you that are super observant, yes I completely messed up the dates on the calendar at first! My large desk calendar – where I put all my daily to-dos for work, life, and EVERYTHING – starts with Sunday as the first day of the week. I look at this calendar multiple times a day, so that’s what my brain is programmed for – so I went into autopilot when writing in dates. It’s since been fixed, thank goodness, but it’s going to take some getting use to! At the top is another of our fabulous family photo gallery wraps – it’s a bit more goofy, and I love it for our command center.

It took me a bit to decide on a layout – but once I knew exactly WHAT I wanted to put on the wall, it was just a matter of playing with it. I traced everything onto scrap paper and used that taped to the wall until I found what I liked best, then it was easy to put the nail holes exactly where they needed to be, as well!

We’ve been trying something new with our family chores – a sheet with the chores divided up. I laminated it, so each week I just put each child’s marker color by the chunk of chores that they’re in charge of completing that week. Same for who has meal duties (set table, etc.) each meal – just add their marker color. Super easy to switch up, and a nice convenient spot for them to check!

Above that is a cute printable list of the morning tasks all my kids need to complete to kick off their homeschool work for the day – I plan to switch it up each month to play with other backgrounds.

I’ve had my large photo collage LOVE board for several years now, and have always enjoyed it in a central location to look at often, so it was perfect! I plan to start making a new one annually with our family photos from that year, then use numbers to do a vertical 2018 (or whatever the year) in place of the letters. Each year we’ll add to our collection, and the most current will go in this spot on our home command center!

Aren’t my babies so cute? Even the kids really enjoy walking past this and seeing a bunch of photos of the family. This family command center is along our main pathway from the front door to the back of the house where the kitchen/living room are. Across from the wall is the large, open office and homeschool room, so it’s a perfect location for them to check their daily tasks and glance at the family calendar, as needed.

Seriously, I can’t get enough of how great this central area looks – and am loving how convenient it is for our family scheduling, tasks, and chores. Hopefully it continues to keep us a bit more organized for a long while to come!

Do you have a command center? Tell me about it in the comments!

Walt Disney Movies Coming in 2019

January 6, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

Grab your popcorn, nab those tickets and bring your friends because we’re in for an incredible year of motion picture releases! Here’s all the exciting, beautiful, grip-your-seats Walt Disney Movies Coming in 2019!

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To make things easier, I put them in order of release date – get ready for some amazing movie watching this year!

March 9, 2019 – CAPTAIN MARVEL (Marvel Studios) #CaptainMarvel

This all-new adventure takes place in the 1990s, a previously unseen perdio in the history of the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) following the journey of Carol Danvers who becomes one of the universe’s most powerful heroes. Can Davers and her small crew of allies protect mankind when a galactic war between two alien races reaches Earth?

The film stars Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Djimon Hounsou, Lee Pace, Lashana Lynch, Gemma Chan, Rune Temte, Algenis Perez Soto, Mckenna Grace, with Annette Bening, with Clark Gregg, and Jude Law.

Marvel Studios’ “Captain Marvel” is produced by Kevin Feige and directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck. Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Jonathan Schwartz, Patricia Whitcher and Stan Lee (oh how we miss this incredible man!) are the executive producers. The story is by Nicole Perlman and Joe Shrapnel & Anna Waterhouse, and the screenplay is by Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck and Geneva Robertson-Dworet and Jac Schaeffer.

March 29, 2019 – DUMBO (Walt Disney Studios) #Dumbo

Many of us remember this touching, adorable film from our own childhood, and now it’s coming to life in an all new live-action adventure where differences are celebrated, family is cherished and any dream can take flight!

Directed by Tim Burton (“Alice in Wonderland,” “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”) from a screenplay by Ehren Kruger (“Ophelia,” “Dream House”), and produced by Justin Springer (“TRON: Legacy”), Kruger, Katterli Frauenfelder (“Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children,” “Big Eyes”) and Derek Frey (“Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children,” “Frankenweenie”).

April 17, 2019 – PENGUINS (Disneynature) #DisneynaturePenguins

Follow a coming-of-age story about an Adélie penguin, named Steve, who joins his ‘few’ fellow males (millions of them, actually) in the icy Antarctic spring as they’re on a quest to build a suitable nest, find a LIFE partner and start an adorable family of penguins. Will Steve get his happily ever after, or will killer whales or leopard seals get in the way?

From the filmmaking team behind “Bears” and “Chimpanzee,” Disneynature’s “Penguins” opens in theaters nationwide in time for Earth Day 2019.

April 26, 2019 – AVENGERS: ENDGAME (Marvel Studios) #AvengersEndgame

Get ready for the ENDGAME with the next, much anticipated Avengers film!

More details to come!

May 24, 2019 – ALADDIN (Walt Disney Studios) #Aladdin

This was always a favorite of ours, so of course we’ve shared the animated classic with our kids numerous times. Now it’s an even more exciting adventure in vibrant and thrilling live-action! Watch the tale of the charming street rate, Aladdin, as he joins the brave and self-determined Princess Jasmine on an adventure where the Genie may be the key to their future.

“Aladdin” is produced by Dan Lin (“Sherlock Holmes”) and Jonathan Eirich (“Death Nate”) with Oscar nominee and Golden Globe winner Marc Platt (“La La Land”) and Kevin De La Noy (“The Dark Knight Rises”) serving as executive producers. Eight-time Academy Award winning composer Alan Menken (“Beauty and the Beast,” “The Little Mermaid”) provides the score, which includes new recordings of the original songs written by Menken and Oscar-winning lyricists Howard Ashman (“Little Shop of Horrors”) and Tim Rice (“The Lion King”) and includes two new songs written by Menken and Oscar and Tony Award-winning songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (“La La Land,” “Dear Evan Hanson”). The film, which was shot on practical stages in London and on location amidst the stunning desert vistas of Jordan, has a talented creative team helping to bring Agrabah to life, including: director of photography Alan Stewart (“The Commuter”), production designer Gemma Jackson (“Game of Thrones”) and costume designer Michael Wilkinson (“American Hustle”).

June 21, 2019 – TOY STORY 4 (Disney·Pixar) #ToyStory4

I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of watching our favorite group of toys on their next adventure – this time, a road trip with friends old AND new can show Woody just how big the world can be for a toy.

Directed by Josh Cooley (“Riley’s First Date?”) and produced by Jonas Rivera (“Inside Out,” “Up”) and Mark Nielsen (associate producer “Inside Out”).

July 19, 2019 – THE LION KING (Walt Disney Studios) #TheLionKing

I recall seeing this in theaters when I was little, and can’t wait to share this beautiful new version! In the African savannah the future king, Simba, is born, but after some betrayal, tragedy and drama, Simba finds himself in exile. With a curious pair of newfound friends, he’ll have to figure out how to face his past to take back what’s rightfully his.

The all-star cast includes Donald Glover as Simba, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala, James Earl Jones as Mufasa, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa and Billy Eichner as Timon, “The Lion King” utilizes pioneer filmmaking techniques to bring these treasured characters to life in a whole new way.

August 9, 2019 – ARTEMIS FOWL (Walt Disney Studios) #ArtemisFowl

For any who’ve read the beloved book by Eoin Colfer, you’re in for an amazing treat as we follow the adventure of 12-year-old Artemis Fowl as he seeks to find his father who mysteriously disappeared. Can this genius, criminal mastermind figure out what happened, or will his dangerous plan prove to be too much for even him?

“Artemis Fowl” is directed by Kenneth Branagh and stars Ferdia Shaw, Lara McDonnell, Tamara Smart, Nonzo Anozie, with Josh Gad, and Judi Dench. Judy Hofflund and Branagh are producing with Angus More Gordon and Matthew Jenkins serving as executive producers. Conor McPherson wrote the screenplay.

November 22, 2019 – FROZEN 2 (Walt Disney Animation Studios)

I’m sure there’s many families out there who can’t wait to see what Olaf, Elsa, Ana and the whole Frozen crew are up to in their upcoming film – more details on the way!

December 20, 2019 – STAR WARS: EPISODE IX (Lucasfilm)

Mint Hot Chocolate Brownies

January 4, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

Y’all know my love for chocolate, right? With all of the holiday parties the kids (and us adults, as well) had over the holidays that involved bringing a treat to share, I just knew I wanted to whip up something good. I wanted them to be a little festive, but not JUST a holiday-themed dessert. These Mint Hot Chocolate Brownies were just the ticket, with that amazing chocolaty flavor mixed with the perfect hint of mint, topped off with some marshmallowy goodness. We had to make extra just to enjoy here by ourselves!

Instead of making these brownies in a regular pan, I thought it’d be more fun (and cute) to bake them in a muffin tin so they’re more like individual little brownie bites. So fun! Plus, it’s easier to know where to place the marshmallow – and I’m all for easy recipes 🙂

You can switch up the sprinkles on top (or leave them off entirely, totally up to you) to match whatever theme or event you have, which makes them really flexible and fun. I wanted a bit more simple on this batch, but still ‘winter holiday’, so added some white pearl sprinkles. Another batch that the girls will take to their church youth party have red crystal ones on top. I love mixing things up!

Makes: 24 Muffin-sized Brownies

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup Sugar
1 1/3 cup Butter, very soft
1 cup Brown Sugar, loosely packed
2 tsp. Vanilla
4 Large Eggs
1 cup Cocoa Powder (unsweetened)
3 cups All-Purpose Flour
1 tsp. Salt
1/2 tsp. Baking Soda
1 cup Chocolate Chips
6 Large Marshmallows
1/2-1 cup Andes Mint pieces
Sprinkles, as desired

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 Degrees F. Spray or line two muffin tins, set aside.
In a large bowl (or mixer) mix the butter, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla and eggs until creamy.
Add the flour, cocoa powder, salt and baking soda and mix until well combined.
Mix in the chocolate chips, then divide into the muffin tins.
Bake for 8-9 minutes. While baking, cut the marshmallows in half.
Remove the brownies (should not be done yet) and place a half marshmallow (with sticky cut side down)into the middle of each brownie bite and press it down.
Bake for another 2-4 minutes or until the marshmallows are puffy and the brownies are fully baked (insert a toothpick next to the marshmallow to see if the center is done). Allow to cool, then remove from muffin tin.
Melt the Andes mint pieces in the microwave at 50% power, stirring every 30 seconds until they’re all melted and smooth. Drizzle over the brownies, topping with sprinkles while still melted so they stick better.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-6 days. Enjoy!

See, they’re super easy to whip up – and the taste is amazing! It’s like a nice, chewy cup of hot chocolate with just the right amount of mint to really add to the flavor. I warmed up my brownie for about 5 seconds in the microwave to give it that bit of warmth, really making the perfect afternoon treat.

These were a HUGE hit at our holiday events, and I had quite a few friends ask me for the recipe. I love being able to share tasty treats (especially chocolate ones) and knowing people truly enjoyed them.

I think next time I’ll do a white chocolate drizzle, add a bit of mint extract and a little green food coloring, for more coloring to these little desserts. Heck, red or blue would be great for holiday time, too! Really, just have fun with it and enjoy your delicious hot chocolate brownies with mint topping!

What’s your favorite holiday recipe?

5 Trending Walt Disney World Souvenirs

January 2, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

What are the hottest items at Walt Disney World right now? Some souvenirs have become very popular among guests, and since Disney has taken notice of social media, they’re becoming very good at perpetuating trends involving their most popular merchandise. Disney’s obscure men’s fashion line Twenty Eight and Main has floundered, while Cherry Tree Lane dresses and Dooney and Bourke designer purses fly off the shelves. Pineapple Dole Whips can be found on nearly every form of merchandise due to their status as a Walt Disney World icon (now I’m craving one!). To give you some ideas on the current favs, here are 5 Trending Walt Disney World Souvenirs to look for on your next vacation.

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Banshees

Ever since these became available at Pandora Land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park, people have loved being able to ‘adopt’ their own Banshee. My boys saved up for many months before our trip to get one to share, and love it! They can roar, flap their wings and turn their head according to your controls. With all the various colors and patterns, it’s fun visiting the little Banshee nursery at the shop in Pandora to pick out your very own.

Spirit Jerseys

Spirit Jerseys have been a trend for a while, and they aren’t going away anytime soon. They’ve been popular at least as far back as the rose gold hysteria, but where rose is now staying on the rack with the rest of the merchandise, the jerseys are remaining relevant with new colors and character designs coming out all the time. This is a hot clothing item that continues to sell.

Festival and Party Merchandise

No matter when you go to Disney World, there’s a festival. It used to be a way to get more guests in during the slow season, but festivals at Epcot are so popular, they keep adding new ones throughout the year. After Hours parties are also increasingly popular, with new dates added to seasonal parties at Magic Kingdom every year. These festivals and parties are also big merchandising events with exclusive souvenirs unique to your time of stay. They’re some of the biggest trending Disney World souvenirs you’ll find! Personally, we loved the glow cubes and fun cups we got during the Food & Wine Festival.

Haunted Mansion

Attractions based merchandise isn’t a rarity in the parks – all the best rides have exits that spill directly into a gift shop. There has been a fair amount of homogenization over the last several years though, and a lot of the shops have similar product. Interestingly, the hottest trending attraction merchandise isn’t actually from one of these stores. Yes, Haunted Mansion, does have it’s own themed gift shop, Memento Mori, but it isn’t at the exit of the ride. It is, however, exclusively Haunted Mansion themed and there is a wide range of product to choose from. The popular attraction is also featured in the World of Disney Store and other general Disney themed stores.

Ears

Mickey and Minnie Ears have always been a pretty solid seller at the Disney Parks, and Minnie Ears in particular have exploded as one of the top trending Disney World souvenirs. Rose gold might be out, but guests are still flocking to pick up the newest models. Now there’s a mix and match option that makes these iconic accessories even more irresistible! The collectibility and interchangeability has them nearly approaching pin status.

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Souvenir mugs

Souvenir mugs have been a thing for as far back as I can remember, but never have they been more pervasive or more collectible – you can get different themes everywhere you go! They’re not just for kids either, as adults go crazy for the collectible souvenir cups at places like Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto and Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, or even the big mug at Gaston’s Tavern.

Which Disney World souvenir is your favorite?

Happy New Year 2019

December 31, 2018 by Danielle Leave a Comment

I can’t believe how fast 2018 went by! As we’re wrapping up this crazy-yet-fantastic year, I can’t help but look back at all the memories – some sad, some hilarious. Some moments were frustrating, others were full of love. For all those moments, I can’t begin to say how grateful I am for this past year, and how excited I am for the one ahead of us. Here’s us wishing you a very Happy New Year 2019!

Thank you to all of our readers, friends and family for your support and love over the years. We appreciate, more than words, you joining us on this little site of ours as we share our adventures as a family, as a couple, and just as a busy mom making her way through this wild ride called life. It sure is a mess, but it’s a beautiful mess – thank you for sharing it with me!

Love to you all, and Happy New Year!

DIY New Year’s Eve Shakers

December 27, 2018 by Danielle Leave a Comment

I’ll admit, we use to do more of a ‘party’ as a family for New Year’s Eve when we lived in Utah. There’d be tons of food, some fireworks in the road in front of the house, and countdowns (one of the kids, one of the adults) – I loved it! The past few years we’ve been much more mellow, watching some movies together then going to bed before midnight. Blah! This year, we’re hoping to do more with our kids – letting them stay up, doing more activities, and really enjoying our time together (and hopefully sleep in). These DIY New Year’s Eve Shakers will be a fun addition to create AND celebrate with!

I know, they’re going to be NOISY – but letting the kids make some crazy noise after the ball drop is a rare treat that we can deal with. I can only imagine how excited they’ll be, and their smiled will be worth the few minutes of shakers 🙂

Supplies

8 Empty Keurig Cups
4 Dowel Rods or Popsicle Sticks
Popcorn Kernels
Washi Tape (Any Colors/Designs)
Scissors

Directions

Decorate the outside of each Keurig cup with the tape. Create your own designs and have fun with it!
Fill one cup about ½ full with popcorn kernels.
Place another cup on top and wrap washi tape around the middle, securing them together. Go around 2-3 times.
Take your dowel rod or popsicle stick and place it on the back. Secure it with 3-4 strips of washi tape.
Now, they are ready to shake and have fun!!

What’s your New Year’s Eve traditions?

5 Perks to Disney World Resorts

December 26, 2018 by Danielle Leave a Comment

Staying at a Disney World resort comes with a variety of benefits. These advantages all but guarantee you won’t slip off to somewhere else during your trip. If you plan on leaving for other parks in Orlando, then you may not want to stay at a Disney resort – but the ease of staying on property will deter you from doing anything else! For the all encompassing Disney experience you can’t get anywhere else, it’s got to be a Disney World resort hotel. Here are 5 Perks to Disney World Resorts that can really make your vacation extra magical.

Don’t forget to see Get Away Today from great Disney vacation prices – use Promo Code: BusyMomsHelper

Magical Express

Right out the arrivals gate, you have an immediate benefit to staying at a Disney World resort – you don’t have to go to baggage claim to pick up your luggage. It’s automatically taken to your hotel for you! You just need to go straight to the Magical Express area and check in, then they will assign you a coach that takes you straight to Disney World and drops you off at your resort free of charge. When it’s time to leave, the Magical Express coach picks you up to take you back to the airport.

Complimentary Magic Band

You will be sent a complimentary Magic Band for use during vacation. The Magic Band is like a skeleton key, used for everything from getting into your room, to park admission, to buying virtually anything on property. Every purchase you make with a magic band gets charged to your room. Those unfamiliar with magic bands express concern about how easy it is to spend money. It always comes up in conversations as a negative – however, I love the convenience, and can tell you that every time I’ve used the magic band to charge to my room throughout a trip, I wound up spending less than I thought I was. Magic bands are also used for Fastpasses and personalized greetings, which are sure to become more developed in the near future.

Free Transportation

This might be the one thing above everything else that you will absolutely love. You can get anywhere in Disney World for free by bus, boat, or monorail. The variety of options depends on where you stay, but you don’t have to rent a car, deal with traffic, or pay for parking. The bus network is extensive and very convenient. There are a lot of lakes in Disney World, so boats are quite useful in getting around in certain parts. The two monorail systems and the upcoming Skyliner system add to the convenience of getting around the most heavily trafficked areas.

Advance Reservations

When you’re a guest at a Disney World resort, you have privileges in the form of advanced reservations. You get to select Fastpasses 30 days sooner than non resort guests – meaning you have a much better chance of securing your top choices in each of the parks! You also get a 180 day advance window for dining reservations. If you are dying to eat at one of the most popular restaurants, this window can make or break your chances of getting a table.

In Room Celebrations

You can add a little magic to your stay at a Disney World resort that you could not do otherwise. Disney offers a variety of packages called ‘in room celebrations’. They come in the forms of different packages and baskets containing a variety of themed treats depending on what you want to celebrate. This is a really fun indulgence on special occasions and you can only do it at one of the Disney World resort hotels. Keep in mind they do cost extra, but can really sprinkle a bit of extra pixie dust on your trip.

What’s your trick for quick pet clean up?

Pixar Play Zone

In-Room Babysitting

Baby Center

In Park Assistance

Treasure Hunt

Have you tried any of these Disney World childcare options?

Apple Cider Recipe

What’s your favorite cold-weather drink recipe?

Ingredients – Sauce

Ingredients – Other

Directions

Swiss Family Treehouse

Pete’s Silly Sideshow

On The Liberty Belle

Catch a Show

“it’s a small world”

Columbia Harbor House

Where’s your favorite place to rest in Magic Kingdom?

Do you have a command center? Tell me about it in the comments!

March 9, 2019 – CAPTAIN MARVEL (Marvel Studios) #CaptainMarvel

March 29, 2019 – DUMBO (Walt Disney Studios) #Dumbo

April 17, 2019 – PENGUINS (Disneynature) #DisneynaturePenguins

April 26, 2019 – AVENGERS: ENDGAME (Marvel Studios) #AvengersEndgame

May 24, 2019 – ALADDIN (Walt Disney Studios) #Aladdin

June 21, 2019 – TOY STORY 4 (Disney·Pixar) #ToyStory4

July 19, 2019 – THE LION KING (Walt Disney Studios) #TheLionKing

August 9, 2019 – ARTEMIS FOWL (Walt Disney Studios) #ArtemisFowl

November 22, 2019 – FROZEN 2 (Walt Disney Animation Studios)

December 20, 2019 – STAR WARS: EPISODE IX (Lucasfilm)

Ingredients

Directions

What’s your favorite holiday recipe?

Banshees

Spirit Jerseys

Festival and Party Merchandise

Haunted Mansion

Ears

Souvenir mugs

Which Disney World souvenir is your favorite?

Love to you all, and Happy New Year!

Supplies

Directions

What’s your New Year’s Eve traditions?

Which Disney Resort is your favorite?