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Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts for Boys

December 28, 2020 by Kelly Dedeaux

I have all sisters, so when I ended up with THREE little boys of my own, it was like a whole new world – I never thought I’d know so much about LEGO, Minecraft or cars! I will admit, it does make holiday shopping even more fun, though, because there’s such a great assortment of things they’d be thrilled to find under the tree. To help my fellow boy moms out there find some great ideas, here’s this year’s first Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts for Boys!

There really is a remarkable variety out there of things to consider for your boys’ holiday gifts, but here’s some that we think are among the top – and either are things my boys already enjoy from previous gifts, or are things on their wish lists this year. From superheroes to Pokemon, comic books to Banshees, there’s a little something for anyone!

Gifts for Boys Who Love Cars & Racing

Modarri’s Delux Street Track Set

Create a one-of-a-kind racecourse with this amazing toy race track that’s made of soft, durable foam. With curved tracks, orange racing cones and – the best part – interchangeable car parts – this build-it-yourself kit is perfect to let kids get down on the floor for some creative fun! The award-winning Modarri race cars are some of my kids’ favorite cars, and this set comes with 20 pieces of quality EVA foam track, 11 pieces of racing accessories, 3 soft racing tire stacks and 13 interchangeable Modarri car parts. Imagine the possibilities! Buy it on their site or on Amazon.

Hot Wheels™ Racing Outfit for Build-A-Bear

Gifts for Boys Who Love Pokemon

Pokémon Clip ‘N’ Carry Poké Ball Belt

You’d be amazed how long these last – my Iron Man uses his all the time, yet it’s still in one piece a year later!

Pikachu Coin Bank

Squirtle Bundle – Pokemon Build-a-Bear Collection

Okay, I admit that I’d want one of these adorable Pokemon, too!

Gifts for Boys Who Love Building

Domino Junior Friends “Dino”

Get ready for fun of Tyrannosaurus proportions with Domino Junior Friends “Dino”! The easy-to-use domino spacer tool simplifies set up, and the stunt dominos have been re-engineered to make setting up easier for little hands. Carefully line up the dominos to watch the volcano erupt! Add in your Dino friends to create even more cool chain reaction stunts! It’s fun that won’t go extinct, perfect for ages 4 and up.

Laser Pegs Playsets

Not only is it fun for them to build, but the lights add a whole new level of fun!

Magna-Tiles Building Sets

We have TONS of these, yet they always find ways to use them all to create worlds, buildings & creatures – then want more tiles to do more!

LEGO Ninjago Movie Garmadon’s Volcano Lair

Connector Building Packs

Another great building-type of toy which my boys just can’t get enough of. It’s fun to see their imaginative creations!

Gifts for Boys Who Love Superheroes

Iron Man Costume PJ PALS

My three boys LOVE Iron Man, Hulk and Thor – so why not let them dress up as them in comfy pjs at night?

Marvel Avengers Thor Hammer 3D Deco Light

Black Panther Remote Control Stealth Cruiser

Captain America Zip Hoodie

The Incredible Remote Control Vehicle

Captain America Electric Ride-On Dune Buggy

Gifts for Boys Who Love Star Wars

Star Wars: The Last Jedi Porg Animated Plush

It even flaps its arms – adorable!

Ahch-To Island Training Playset by LEGO – Star Wars: The Last Jedi

BB-8 vivofit jr. 2 Activity Tracker

My Iron Man is always asking for a ‘step tracker like moms’ – this would be PERFECT!

Roaring Chewbacca Wookiee Sounds Mask

Okay, you’ve likely seen the hilarious Chewie mask movies – why not bring it to life at home, too?

Gifts for Boys Who Love Minecraft

Minecraft Enchanted Bow & Arrow

LEGO Minecraft The Skeleton Attack Building Kit

Minecraft Color Changing Potion Bottle

Deluxe Diamond Sword

Of course we have this sword, an iron one, a pick-axe and everything – not just because my boys love them, but hubby does, too!

Minecraft Periodic Table Tee

Gifts for Boys Who Love Unique Things

Original Super Cool Slime Lab

Kids love slime, so why not add some learning to their fun with this awesome kit? With 18 pieces – including measuring cups, mixing sticks and slime activator – they can whip up a jar of glitters lime, glow in the dark and even multi-color slime. Every budding scientist would love to get one under the tree this year!

Ultimate Outdoor Play Bundle

Mini Flying LED RC Drone Helicopter

Magic Scene Creator

Pandora – The World of Avatar Interactive Banshee Toy

My boys saved up like crazy to buy one of these at Walt Disney World to share – and they absolutely love it! With the growls and roars, plus the wings you can control, it’s such a fun and interactive figure for them to enjoy.

Comic By Me

What gifts for boys will be on your kids’ wish list?

Why Shopping Before the Holiday Is Smart

November 6, 2018 by Kelly Dedeaux

This sponsored post made possible by shopDisney. All opinions are mine alone.

It’s so tempting to wait until the holiday is full-swing before doing our gift shopping. Perhaps it’s all the colors, sites and sounds while you’re checking things off your list. Or maybe those special sales pull you in. While those are great things, don’t be fooled – there are so many reasons Why Shopping Before the Holiday is Smart and saves so much time, stress and even money!

Yes, if you wait then there’s the holiday music and decor to enjoy – plus just something about the atmosphere that time of year that makes it extra special. But guess what? Stores roll out the holiday decorations and supplies earlier every year, and you can still go and feel that happy excitement but without the stress of a rush or shopping to-dos by hitting up great sales now. Then just head to the stores later on simply for the joy of it – it can be a whole new experience for this wonderful season by having the hassle of shopping already off your mind!

As for the special holiday sales – why not take advantage of great sales NOW? Seriously, stores know that people get more and more hurried and desperate as the season goes on, so you can actually save a ton of money by taking advantage of current sales – like 25% off your purchase at shopDisney and Disney store!

Friends and Family Sale: 25% off Sitewide at shopDisney! Code: DISNEYPAL. Valid 11/8/16-11/11/18. Some Restrictions Apply.

That’s right, you can get a jumpstart to the holidays with Disney, Pixar, Star Wars AND Marvel favorites with their awesome sale! Not only can you get 25% off your purchase at both shopDisney and the Disney store, but their top holiday toys are available at incredible prices anyway. Let’s take a look at some of the top picks – and the thing sure to be a huge hit this year, so better act now for the best price AND get them before they’re all gone!

For my fellow Star Wars fans:

Rey Lightsaber

Any little princesses out there will love:

Those seeking more adventure will be thrilled with:

Woody Talking Action Figure

Imagine how much better you’ll be able to really enjoy the holiday season – and those special people you share it with – if you’re not rushing around trying to tackle all that shopping later on. You can relax more, breathe it all in, and truly appreciate the memories you’ll be making.

What would the Disney fan in your life love to receive?

Balancing Digital Entertainment for Kids

April 14, 2020 by Kelly Dedeaux

This post is sponsored by the Mom It Forward Influencer Network on behalf of Explore, Discover & Grow. All opinions are mine alone.

Hubby and I were discussing the differences of when we were kids, and now our children’s youth. At school a lot of things were paper and pencil, not tablets. We had way more recess than schools now seem to, as electronic time is slowly taking over. Last year at school, there were so many days my kids would say ‘we didn’t do recess outside today, they had us stay inside and watch a movie’. And if you’re wondering the same thing I did, no it was not an educational movie, just a fun one that’s only purpose is to entertain. What about movement, or learning? This is why parents need to be mindful of Balancing Digital Entertainment for Kids – because although technology, movies, games and such are great and fine, there needs to be a balance with the kids actually being active and learning, too.

Growing up, the norm was for parents to send their kids outside to play – often times until the street lamps would turn on in the evening. Now, kids spend more and more time in front of a screen. Y’all know I love movies and games, especially with my family, but I also know how important it is to not overdo it. Television stations now aim for an 80/20 ratio, with 80% being just entertainment and 20% being education entertainment. If you ask Greg Page – known globally for his role as the original Yellow Wiggle from the children’s entertainment group, The Wiggles – he thinks it should be closer to 50/50. It’s all about balance! In an effort to bring more quality, educational fun to kids’ screen time, he’s leading a revival of children’s educational television with Explore, Discover & Grow.

Greg knows from his many years in early childhood studies and as a teacher that kids learn better by DOING. Too many shows just entertain while the child just sits there. But shows such as Dora the Explorer and Blue’s Clues have shown us how much more excited kids are when they can feel like a part of the show, and be active along with the characters. By involving the kids in the story or activities, they’re also more likely to LEARN and actually retain the information – plus have fun along the way! The more senses they use, the better what they learn is stored in the brain, plus the better they understand it. That’s why he’s been working hard to bring Explore, Discover & Grow to kids – this series of 104, ten-minute videos will be released directly to subscribers 2X per week, making it the perfect length for young kids’ attention spans.

Parents can help bring some balance to digital entertainment for kids with this great series, which will use music, movement, language and play – making it a great ‘edutainment‘ experience for young kiddos. Kids as young as 2 will enjoy the colors, sounds and active motions included, and preschool children will have fun, engaging and educational content that’s designed to teach the whole child. Since it’s created by a teacher with actual experience in applying educational theory in entertainment for over 27 years, you know it’ll be high quality and be perfectly catered to the learning abilities of these younger children.

And guess what? YOU can be a part of this amazing revival by backing their Indiegogo campaign – and you’ll get access to all of the content created! The campaign is now live, and they’re counting on parents like us to help them bring good, educational entertainment back to today’s kids. The closer to their funding goal they’re able to get, the higher quality they’ll be able to produce, so we’re trying hard to help raise awareness – not just here, but all over the world for English-speaking families! Greg’s determination is remarkable, and after having a really great chat with him (at 2am his time, since he’s in Australia – thank you Greg!) to learn more, I really believe this will be the next great screen time show for preschool kids! He’s working hard to make this a reality, and has already created about 60-70 songs for the series.

They have a full plan for the coming year to produce and release these great videos, and his hope is that if they can make the first year successful and as high-quality as planned (with your help by supporting their Indiegogo campaign), the second year can help open up possibilities for others out there with great ideas on quality, educational entertainment for today’s little ones. With more and more non-educational screen time being thrown at our youth all the time, this could really be the start of showing the world that us parents want better for our kids – that we WANT balance in digital entertainment for our children!

See more fun for Explore, Discover & Grow on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter!

My New Perspective on PC Gaming

April 9, 2020 by Kelly Dedeaux

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com on behalf of Turtle Beach. All opinions are mine alone.

A few months ago, I was lucky enough to attend a local gaming conference with my hubby. I’d been getting more and more into PC gaming, and the idea of a few days (and nights – sleep was more of a early morning until noon timing here) with no responsibilities, just games, sounded amazing. It was a complete blast, and now I understand why he looks forward to it annually! One thing we enjoyed during the conference, when we needed to stretch our legs, was seeing what equipment other gamers were using – their PCs, monitors, keyboards, and – of course – their headsets. While I use to think that whatever accessories I had available would be the same, I have a whole New Perspective on PC Gaming and what really makes a difference. Especially when you’re spending that long on a game, you need quality equipment – which is why I’m thrilled to have the Elite Atlas Pro Performance PC Gaming Headset!

If you remember from last month, I shared why my family loves gaming so much. It’s great for having fun together, working together to solve a problem, build something, or reach a goal – plus it can teach the kiddos to get along better! It’s also a wonderful way for hubby and I to bond. Now that we’re also attending an actual event outside of our home, where we play PC games for such an extended amount of time, it’s even more crucial that we have better equipment that not only works amazing, but will be comfortable. That’s one reason I love the Turtle Beach® Elite Atlas headset for our PC gaming, because it’s designed for players of any level (my kids love the sound quality!) – but especially pro-players and hardcore PC gamers.

It’s durable (yet sleek) metal headband features a suspended pad, ProSpecs™ glasses-friendly design AND has upgraded magnetic memory foam ear cushions with an athletic fabric and synthetic leather. All the pieces work together to block out all that external noise (there’s a LOT during a gaming conference, trust me), plus make it super comfortable for long periods of PC gaming. Plus it works to take with you wherever you go (because who knows when an awesome PC game will happen), with included 3.5mm and PC-splitter cables that connect to any PC setup.

The Turtle Beach® Elite Atlas sets a whole new level for esports audio on PC, and the amazing audio performance centers around it’s pro-tuned 50mm Nanoclear™ speakers deliver immersive Windows Sonic for Headphones surround sound – which is practically a necessity when PC gaming, because you want to feel fully involved in the game. For those games where you need to talk with your team (or opponents!), the removable high-sensitivity mic with TruSpeak™ technology offers flawless communication. It was a bit ridiculous at our conference how the headset I had then struggled with the mic, making some of the games super frustrating as we tried to communicate from different PC stations. No worries now that I have the Elite Atlas, though!

Hubby is so glad that I finally realized why it matters what type of equipment you have – I guess I hadn’t played quite long enough to notice, or kept brushing off the idea that there was really great stuff out there that made a huge difference when you’re playing a game. Whatever the reason, it’s so neat seeing (and hearing) the difference a quality keyboard, mouse and PC gaming headset make to really pull you into a game, plus make the actual play of it more smooth!

What’s your PC gaming must-have?

Halloween Lighting Fun

April 9, 2020 by Kelly Dedeaux

This post is sponsored by Philips Hue via Momtrends Media. The opinions are mine and are not indicative of the opinions of Philips Hue or Momtrends Media.

Growing up, my family always loved Halloween, and the entire neighborhood made it extra special and exciting. Us kids really looked forward to the candy, food, costumes and friends! Now with my kids, I try to make it just as much fun – and this year, we’re going way beyond the ‘normal’ with some Halloween Lighting Fun! Whether you’re throwing a monster bash, want to greet trick-or-treaters in a frightfully delightful way, or just want to add more witch’s magic to your kids’ holiday, this is sure to be a hit for the whole family.

One of my favorite parts of the Halloween season is all the COLORS – from the colorful treats and decor, to the costumes and makeup. This year, we’re taking ‘colorful’ to a whole new level thanks to the Philips Hue Go. Y’all know how much we love our Philips Hue smart lighting system, but I have to say that this piece just screams (or glows) FUN! Using the Hue app on your smartphone or tablet, you can personalize the light to match any theme or atmosphere you want. To make it even more convenient, you can control your Hue lighting with just your voice using Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri with Apple HomeKit.

One you have the Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance starter kit, just add a Philips Hue Go to your system. The Hue Go is great because it’s portable lighting. One option is to plug it into a power outlet and shine it on your walls to paint them with colored or white light. We’re going with the more flexible option for our Halloween lighting fun this year, though! The rechargeable internal battery can last up to 3 hours, and even when it’s in portable mode, you can STILL control it with your smart device. So if you’re busy handing candy to the newest monsters and heroes to knock on your door, you can still play with the countless color options.

For us, we wanted to make a super colorful, exciting witch cauldron with smoke – cue the dry ice! Now, keep in mind that the Philips Hue Go is not waterproof. You need to use caution and common sense – make sure the light isn’t touching (or even too close) to the water or dry ice. We made sure we had a DEEP bucket, put the water and dry ice at the bottom, then set our light on something else several inches above those (but still hidden at the top of the bucket). It was incredible how cool the smoke looked with the various colors as it flowed out of the bucket and over our Halloween table spread!

The kids love making ‘spooky’ (okay, so they’re too adorable to be very scary, but they tried) and silly faces behind the light, and to pretend they’re casting ‘spells’ over the cauldron – I mean, bucket! We kept switching up the colors from a favorite pumpkin-like orange, to an eerie witch-green tone. There’s even pre-set light scenes in the app such as Blood Moon or Blue Lagoon. Have a special backdrop or photo? The Hue app can extract the colors from your image and apply it to your lights, making your Halloween atmosphere complete perfection.

Make the ultimate trick-or-treat stop or create haunted house effects with Hue’s special Halloween lighting formulas. You can recreate a lightning effect – or make it appear like a mischievous ghost is switching the color and brightness of your lights! The third-party app Hue Haunted House can add flashes and flickering to your colored lights for more Halloween fun, as well as combine haunting sounds and lighting effects to make anyone jump – enter the creepy ghost sounds or eerie piano music! Another option for a thrilling sound and light show is to download the Hue Sync app (available for Windows 10 PCs or macOS computers) to sync your Hue lights to the beat of your chosen Halloween-related music tracks. I think a set of Thriller is a definite must-do!

We’re all counting down the days until Halloween this year, and are so excited to show off our fun lighting with friends and visitors! Thanks to Philips Hue smart lighting, anyone can turn their everyday lighting into an extraordinary experience. Halloween is the perfect time to play with light and color and create an amazing ambiance, but it doesn’t have to end there – use it any day of the year! Once you nab the start kit, it’s simple to add more of Hue’s products like the Go to REALLY turn your house into the spookiest (or most thrilling) in the neighborhood!

What’s YOUR favorite Halloween color?

The Ultimate Gift That isn’t ‘Stuff’!

October 8, 2018 by Kelly Dedeaux

Thank you to my friends at Bluprint for sponsoring this post. All opinions are mine alone.

Okay mamas, I know many of us aren’t ready for the reality of it BUT – Christmas is coming. I know, it may sound far away still, but with everything between now and then, it’ll be here before we know it. It sneaks up on me every year, so I’m trying to be on-the-ball and plan ahead so that I can better enjoy the actual holiday season instead of running around in a crazy mad dash checking things off the to-do list. The gift shopping seems to be the biggest & easiest thing to get done in advance, and today I’m telling you about an amazing option that would work for pretty much anyone on your list! And the best part is, it’s not a toy or more ‘stuff’ to clutter the house – it’s The Ultimate Gift That isn’t ‘Stuff’!

I’m thrilled when I can find something that’s more of an activity or event – something they can DO, especially if it’ll be lasting. You know what I’m talking about – not something the kids will play with for a week then forget about. I’m talking about Bluprint – NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment’s new and expanded subscription service! It’s the premier digital destination for lifestyle learning, and offers online classes that focus on legacy crafts PLUS new complementary categories that help promote and facilitate self-expression in areas such as writing, music and dance, yoga and fitness, home decor, entertaining, plus plenty for kids and family. I was amazed with how many online classes were available, and the variety of topics is fantastic!

The extensive categories make this a perfect fit for practically anyone on your holiday list – from sewing classes for beginner kids just starting out, on up to complex pattern making or highly skilled sewers. Don’t worry, there’s also plenty for the guys in your life, too – such as woodworking, photography, cooking, healthy eating and much more. I love the idea of taking some of these classes TOGETHER – sharing a new hobby or skill with your special someone sounds like a super fun and unique date night!

Bluprint has an incredible content library with over 3,000 HOURS of original classes, and they produce original entertainment series featuring creative experts. They’ll not only provide a fun time, but will help inspire, empower and entertain everyone, form the experienced creator to the everyday doer. My kids are going to LOVE the kid-focused cooking classes, as they’ve been learning a few basic things to do more on their own in the kitchen. Since my girls are almost teenagers (YIKES!), and fashion is a main priority for them, this Fashion Attic series will be perfect for them – and other classes can help them learn to make their own bags!

As for myself, the fitness classes (especially the ‘Boost Your Physical and Mental Energy‘ one – I’m sure all of us parents would appreciate this one!) and tons under the Cooking category will be great fun. And my fellow busy moms – there’s plenty of cooking hacks and tips, plus easy recipes to help us on those busy weeknights! Hubby will go crazy for the DIY Sushi or How to Make a Comic Book, of course.

I love that Bluprint offers a place for families to turn online inspiration into offline ways to imagine, play and grow – whether individually or all together! You get 24/7 access to exclusive series and easy-to-follow classes, so it works with everybodies schedule. Your family can learn and try new things together (great family night activities!), and it doesn’t matter what skill level you are. With kid-friendly content made with ages 6-12 in mind, plus trusted, family-friendly experts, you don’t have to stress about what your child is doing online with Bluprint’s family content.

Another fabulous benefit of giving the gift of Bluprint this holiday season? The subscription is only $14.99/month or $120/year ($5/month savings!) and is accessible on both desktop and mobile – either go to http://www.mybluprint.com/, check it out through the Bluprint app or on Roku. Already, Bluprint serves a passionate and engaged community of millions, and that’s growing all the time. They keep them informed, and one step ahead of trends. Members with similar interested can connect through premium and enhanced original editorial content, social media engagement and live, one of a kind events.

By planning ahead, you can get an even better deal: starting now through October 12th, Bluprint is hosting its Get Started Event – allowing makers, doers and creatives alike to stream unlimited classes and series for FREE with registration! Also, now through October 20th, visitors have the option to choose one of two limited time offers: Monthly subscription for $9.99 (normally $14.99) OR select an Annual Subscription for just $100 (normally $120) + a free Bluprint Box of your choice! The holidays just got even better.

Which of the many classes on Bluprint would YOU choose first?

Check them out on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest or Youtube to connect with their amazing community!

Tour Guides for Families at Walt Disney World

April 9, 2020 by Kelly Dedeaux

We receive complimentary guide services from Michael’s VIPs to facilitate this post. All opinions are ours alone.

Phew, it’s been just a few weeks since our big family Disney World trip, and we’re already missing it. As we look back and remember everything we did, we’re reminded how much we were able to fit into our time there – and it’s all because we had our ‘magical’ tour guide to help us out! If you’re not sure if hiring private Tour Guides for Families at Walt Disney World is Worth it, check out our experience: you may realize that they’re worth every penny, and more!

First of all, your tour guide services don’t start just when you get to the park – with Michael’s VIPS, they help you plan from start to finish (or anywhere in between). They even will help reserve your dining and fast passes; it’s a full service to set your trip up for success! A few days before we arrived, our guide Renee contacted me to go over details. We discussed the kids ages and heights (in case you have littles who can’t do certain attractions), if there were any restrictions, any rides we wanted to avoid or ones we were hoping to do over and over again. We made a game plan, and set our time to meet that first morning. She was right there at the entrance of Magic Kingdom waiting for us, and the kid immediately loved her friendly personality and it was hugs all around! Then we were off on our adventure…

As a mom, my absolute FAVORITE thing about having a tour guide for families at Disney World is that she handles all the details – I didn’t have to check times or fast passes, or reservations. I was able to just go along and enjoy my time with my family, without the stress. What’s crazy is, you can’t really even tell she’s constantly checking everything! She’s right there with you, alert and in conversations, chatting happily with the kids – but she is constantly aware of the plan, ride wait times, upcoming parades or shows that could affect crowds and traffic, everything. Not only that, but we like to joke that Michael’s VIPs are ‘walking, talking maps’ because they know all the routes, where every ride and event is, and even where all the bathrooms are (and which are the best ones!).

That’s really convenient for families, because if you have kids you KNOW there’s plenty of ‘I need to go to the bathroom’ moments! I realized that, since every time we were near one she’d ask if anyone needed to go, we didn’t run into the issue of emergencies or inconvenient potty breaks. That was super nice! I remember so many trips to Disneyland where we’d be far from a restroom, or about to get on a ride, when a kid just HAD to go. Not this trip, though! It’s fun how many little stories of bits of information the guides have – such as why Animal Kingdom has bathroom doors, unlike most of the other parks’ bathrooms (answer: in the very unlikely event a wild animal got out, people could get to safety in a restroom!). And if you do get a chance with a tour guide from Michael’s VIPs, ask about the ‘poop trail’ at Magic Kingdom. The kids still bring that up!

Our first day at Magic Kingdom, we had done every ride by about noon – and hadn’t felt rushed at all! We were trying to remember the longest wait we had any of the days we had Renee with us, and we don’t think that any wait was more than 5 minutes or so – but most of the rides were just however long it took us to walk up there! There’s so many reasons that having a tour guide with Michael’s VIPS is well worth the cost, but especially when you consider how much more you’re able to do in a much shorter amount of time with them. It means you can plan on less days, hotel nights, food, all of that because you don’t HAVE to go for as long – you’ll be able to get a ton done! Plus, less standing in line saves everyone’s sanity – especially moms 😉

Renee stayed with us each of the days up until we’d done pretty much everything, then let us decide if we wanted her to stay longer or if we were good to go redo things on our own however we’d like. I loved and appreciated the flexibility! These guys even go above and beyond so much – when one of our kiddos got a bit sick (from a ride or heat, we’re still not quite sure), and felt better sitting off one of the rides, Renee was happy to let her stay off with her so none of us had to miss it. She even bought her a drink to help her hydrate more. They TRULY care! Plus, they’re prepared – there were a few times she whipped out some pepto pills to help some of our more sensitive stomachs. At one of the lunches, we were happy to invite her to join us and the kids had a blast at the ‘fun table’ with her – so cute!

The guides love kids, and are so patient with them. It’s their job to make your family happy and help you have the best vacation possible – but you can tell it’s not just their job, it’s what they truly love and care about your family. If you’ve read our previous experiences with Michael’s VIPS – when it was just my mom and I at our first time at Disney World, or last year when hubby wasn’t sure a guide was worth it for couples – then you know how great each and every time with them has been, despite being different groups and circumstances. Families are very different, but after this I’m convinced that our trip wouldn’t have been even nearly as good or enjoyable without Renee’s amazingness. What’s funny – day two with her and one of our girls was like “is Renee magic or something? How does she make it so we can do so much without any waiting?” Yup, these guides are magical – and priceless!

It was a very sad ‘see you later’ when we parted ways at the end. The kids kept saying how much they missed Renee, and she was more than thrilled when we texted her a few days later letting her know that. When we WERE on our own, the kids kept commenting how it was a bit more frustrating and ‘boring’ because we weren’t as magical as her – there were more waiting in lines, and we may have gotten lost a time or two. We still had a wonderful time, but it was much easier, less stressful and we got to do a lot more with the help of our wonderful guide. You can read even more reasons to choose Michael’s tour guides here!

Contact Michael’s VIPs for YOUR next trip to Walt Disney World – or Disneyland!

Tour guides for couples – is it worth it?

How to avoid lines at Walt Disney World

7 things to NEVER bring to Disney World – and 10 you MUST!

Make sure you eat, Mom!

September 22, 2018 by Kelly Dedeaux

This post is sponsored by Tai Pei Food. All opinions are mine alone.

How many of you forget to eat sometimes? I miss meals quite often, unfortunately, and it’s not because I’m not hungry (anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE food), but I simply forget to feed myself. I use to think I was losing my mind, but after talking with several other parents – especially moms – out there, I realized that my problem was actually quite common. We’re so focused on taking care of the kids and everything, that we tend to put ourselves last. Sometimes this results in running out of time for our own things – like eating. Luckily there’s things we can do to make sure we’re prepared with a backup plan for those moments we just don’t have much time to spend on our own hunger, like with these easy meals for moms. Because unlike we do for the kids, there’s nobody telling us ‘Make sure you eat, Mom!‘

First of all, don’t plan something that requires a bunch of preparation or cooking time if you aren’t REALLY going to get that time. Be realistic, mommas! I’ve found that having a variety of Tai Pei entrées available in my freezer really helped out. Not only can you spend less money, but you wait less for a meal that has healthy, filling ingredients – plus it’s ready in just minutes, making them super easy meals for moms.

During that stressful noon hour of feeding the kids, doing dishes, probably tackling a load or ten of laundry, just pull out one of Tai Pei’s delicious offerings (like hubby’s favorite General Tso’s Spicy Chicken, or my top pick Sweet & Sour Chicken) that include REAL ingredients and no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. Pop it in the microwave for the time it says on the new perfect-portion-sized packaging – maybe tackle a few of your other tasks while it cooks – then enjoy a hot, delicious meal full of Asian flavors with hardly any time or effort at all.

Another trick to make sure I don’t end up a hangry mom by mid-afternoon? I pop my Tai Pei entrée of choice-for-the-day into the microwave while I start prepping my kids’ meals. Right about the time I’m serving them their food, mine’s ready to go, as well. A bonus is that I then can sit WITH my kids and we can eat together. This way everyone can get fed and happy all at once, plus you’re having some quality time together. Now THAT’S multitasking 🙂

Guess what? These easy meals for moms are also enjoyed by the entire family, so you can cook some for the whole crew and have lunch or dinner done in a breeze! That’s a definite lifesaver on those crazy weeknights when you just don’t have time (or let’s be honest – energy) to spend forever on a meal.

Easy meals for moms can be for breakfast, too – check this recipe out!

Easy Chicken Fried Rice with Egg – 2 Servings

Ingredients

1 Package of Tai Pei Chicken Fried Rice
1-2 Large Eggs

Directions

Cook Tai Pei Chicken Fried Rice per package directions. Set aside.
Heat skillet with oil and fry one or two eggs until whites are set and yolk is still runny.
Transfer fried rice on a plate and top with fried eggs. Enjoy!

Learn more about Tai Pei entrees & where to buy them at www.taipeifood.com/dragon or www.taipeifood.com/find-tai-pei

Tips for Owning an Older House

September 12, 2018 by Kelly Dedeaux

Sponsored by One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® service providers. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Since moving to Texas, we have owned two newly built homes – this meant everything was new, from the walls and paint to the HVAC systems and windows. Our most recent home purchase, though, is one that’s almost 20 years old – so things aren’t fresh and shiny, or functioning at their best. While we really love this house, we’re having to learn some maintenance and care things that weren’t even on our radar before! If you’re in the same boat as us, here are some Tips for Owning an Older House that we’ve learned that may help out.

Our biggest wake-up call when we moved into this house a few months ago was the HVAC system – the air conditioner just couldn’t keep up at all. Being early summer in Texas when we moved in, this was certainly not ideal, especially considering we have kids, as well as a ferret (they’re extremely sensitive to temperatures, so it could actually be dangerous for her). Since we know practically nothing about these systems, we knew we needed to call in the professionals from our local One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® service provider to come and take a look. Owning an older house typically means older systems, so we knew they could help us get things working properly because they’re a brand we can trust, and they provide quality service when we need it (for us AND our pets!)

The local One Hour service provider is part of the Direct Energy family of brands, with independently owned and operated locations all over the country. That means you get local service, backed by a national brand! Their service is backed by an on-time guarantee, and even endorsed by UWIN® (that’s a consumer service resource that lets home service contractors provide a nice, extra level of protection – as well as peace of mind to residential consumers who actually get the services). To find your local One Hour service provider, check out their website or call 855-One-Hour.

Our technician, Shane, showed up and was very professional and friendly. He handled all of our not-so-knowledgeable questions and concerns, then took a good, deep look at all the aspects of our HVAC system. He definitely knew his stuff, which shouldn’t be a surprise since the One Hour technicians receive ongoing HVAC training. They’re thoroughly skilled to address any HVAC issue, and get you back to feeling comfortable inside (especially if you’re in this Texas heat – dang!). Everyone can appreciate a properly-cooled house – even this cool dude!

Honestly, I was a bit concerned about what type of technician would show up at first, but I should’ve known that One Hour service providers ensure you’ll be served by a reliable professional who’s not only well-trained and skilled, but also clean, courteous AND background-checked. This was HUGE for me, as a parent, when it came to someone coming into our home!

One thing we learned about owning an older house – you never know HOW things were actually installed or maintained! As Shane went through everything, he made sure he answered all of our questions, showed us photos of the spots he was talking about, and cleared up any aspects we didn’t quite understand. It turned out that our HVAC system had many things not even installed correctly, which explained clearly why it wasn’t working right! He pointed out areas that could be fixed to bring up the functionality (and save on our terrifying electric bill from wasted usage due to leaks), and also the spots that were just fine. I really liked that he also let us know of some aspects that weren’t exactly 100%, but that wouldn’t make enough of a difference to justify paying to fix them now. That’s honesty, right there! We even got some tips to help prepare for the upcoming seasons:

Change air filters regularly, especially before winter begins
Properly ‘winterize’ your A/C units
Have a pro check your HVAC systems for any leaks or issues

I was so relieved to know what was actually going on with our HVAC system, and how we could get it running better for a more comfortable home and family. Now that we’re on our way to having that taken care of, here are a few other tips we learned about owning an older house:

Check your Roof – missing/loose shingles (or hail damage, if you’re in an area, like us, that deals with that) or overhanging tree limbs may need to be taken care of
Look at your windows, doorways, tiles, showers and other spots that may need to be resealed if the caulking/sealant has worn away or started to peel up
Double check your air vents, making sure they’re clear of junk or debris for proper airflow
Check your locks – doorknobs or locks may wear out and not work 100% after some time
Test your smoke alarms and CO2 detector (if you have one) to ensure they’re still functional
Keep an eye on drains and pipes – you don’t want them blocked!
Stay alert for signs of foundation issues – doors getting funky in the door frames, corner cracks from settling, etc. This is something you want to catch early on!

What are your best tips for owning an older house?

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® service providers

Busy Weeknight Dinner Ideas

September 14, 2018 by Kelly Dedeaux

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com on behalf of RAGÚ®. All opinions are my own.

Not to say that summers aren’t also crazy, but once school’s back in session it seems like weeknights get even busier. Between picking up the kids, homework, karate or dance (or whatever activity is that evening), it can be a real challenge to get a delicious, quality meal on the table for the family. That’s why I love keeping a list of tasty, family-friendly Busy Weeknight Dinner Ideas handy – just like this cheesy chicken pasta recipe!

My favorite trick for whipping up a tasty meal that the whole family will love is using New RAGÚ® Simply Pasta Sauces, because not only is it made with 100% Olive Oil and contains no added sugar (so I can feel good about serving it to my family), but it also has an incredible flavor.

For this recipe I used the NEW RAGÚ® Simply Chunky Marinara Pasta Sauce, with plump tomatoes, onions, garlic and spices bringing great flavor to every bit – proving that simple recipes can bring tons of flavor. That means less time in the kitchen, prepping fewer items to add in to your recipes, still with a delicious taste for your family meal.

Ingredients

1 box pasta of choice
1 jar New RAGÚ® Simply Pasta Sauces
1-2 cups Shredded Cheese (I did a Mexican Style blend)
1-2 cups Tomatoes, diced
2-3 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts, cooked and diced

Directions

Cook the pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, cook the tomatoes over medium-high heat in a large skillet until softened, then add in the chicken and mix well. Put to lowest heat.
Once the pasta is done, add to the skillet and mix in the New RAGÚ® Simply Pasta Sauces until everything is covered. Add in the cheese and mix until it’s melted and gooey.
Serve with a little more cheese sprinkled on top, and enjoy!

See, it’s just that easy to serve your family an amazing meal with very little time spent in the kitchen! And with New RAGÚ® Simply Pasta Sauces, you can whip up dishes like Quinoa Penne with Savory Tomato-Basil Sauce, or even a Cauliflower Crust Mix & Match Pizza. The possibilities are nearly endless with RAGÚ pasta sauce!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What’s YOUR favorite recipe to use RAGÚ® Sauce in?

Life Hacks for Your Home

September 12, 2018 by Kelly Dedeaux

This post is sponsored by Philips Hue via Momtrends Media. The opinions are mine and are not indicative of the opinions of Philips Hue or Momtrends Media.

When someone ask how your life is going, how many of you answer with ‘busy’? I sure do – because that seems to be the overall theme of motherhood. Now with back-to-school season upon us, schedules have gotten even crazier for most, so I know we could all use these Life Hacks for Your Home to make family life a little bit easier – and more enjoyable! I truly think it’s the little things – slight adjustments – that can add up to a huge difference in helping families throughout the year. Small changes to help our routines seem to stand out, but what are some easy ones to apply?

Morning Routines: First of all, did you know that light has a major impact on not only our moods, but also our schedules? One thing I hate when it gets closer to Autumn and winter is that the mornings before school are really dark. I don’t want to be up getting ready for the day when it looks like nighttime outside, and of course my kids don’t either! That’s one of the many great things about Philips Hue smart lighting – you can actually adjust and control the COLOR and COLOR TEMPERATURE of the light, as well as the brightness!

For example, when it’s about time to wake up you can set the Hue lights at a lower brightness level (perhaps, 25%) to encourage waking up. And yes, I need about as much encouragement as my kids – sometimes more! Then as they’re getting more awake and ready for the day, turn up the brightness gradually to 100%. There’s even a pre-set ‘energize’ mode to help give a natural ‘boost’ to your family that early in the morning, with a cool daylight tone.

Want to know something even better? You can control the Philips Hue smart lights FROM AN APP ON YOUR SMARTPHONE OR TABLET! Seriously, that’s a life-saver for us busy moms – especially when WE are groggy trying to get ready for the morning hussle. And if you have Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant or even Siri with Apple HomeKit, you can control the the Hue lighting system with just your voice. It sure seems like it was made to help us parents out!

Afternoon: Okay, so we addressed a hack for making morning transitions easier – how about making homework time better? I really like the idea of a great homework station or fun reading nook (my kids LOVE to read) – so how can lighting help? I know that I struggle to focus more with certain lighting conditions – but you can turn your Hue lighting to the pre-set ‘concentrate’ mode to help when your family is doing homework or studying with the crisp, white light. For reading, choose the ‘read’ light for a softer, comfortable tone!

Evening & Weekends: Enough with the less favorite times of day – how about hacks for your home for the FUN times? I’m a huge fan of music and movies, so the fact that I can switch up the COLOR of my Hue lighting sounds like a blast! You can even sync your lighting with the content that’s being played on your computer – this works for movies and music. How awesome is that?! When my girls heard about this, I swear it was like Christmas morning for them. Now there’s some major dance parties going on in their room!

As y’all know, our family really likes gaming as well – whether our own games, as a family or just hubby and I. The trouble is that you’re looking at a screen with varying lighting, so you don’t want the room DARK but you also can’t see as well with normal lights. It’s been much better with our Philips Hue lights, because we can adjust the brightness as needed, as well as the color for some real fun. See – not all life hacks for your home have to be about the boring moments!

Nighttime: We’ve gone through the day from wake up and after school – now how about going to bed? We moms love it when the kids are in bed (FREEDOM!), but sometimes getting them to sleep is a battle. Just like you can gradually make the lights brighter and help boost your mood and energy level in the morning, why not switch it around with the ‘go to sleep’ option on your lighting? With Hue, you can set the specific time you’d like the lights to gradually dim, helping to ease your kiddos to bed. Then you and hubby can enjoy the pre-set ‘relax’ scene with the warm, dimmer light and unwind after another crazy day (aren’t they all?).

Eager to try it out and see how these simple hacks for your home lighting can really help your family’s routines and moods? Just nab the Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance starter kit. It includes four A19 standard-size LED bulbs which can go into any standard, indoor light fixture, as well as a bridge (the heart of the system for the app-based control of your Hue lights). There’s also an Ethernet cable to connect it to your wireless router, and (of course) a power cord that fits in any standard outlet.

Bonus: One last hack for your home using this awesome lighting system! Using the app, you can control the lights when you’re not even home! This is awesome if you’re out later than expected, because you can arrange for the lights to be turned on when you return, instead of stumbling into a dark home. Love it!

With back to school in full swing, I know all of us busy moms can use all the help we can get – so let us know about your own home hacks that make crazy schedules (or groggy mornings) a bit better!

How would YOU program your Philips Hue lighting?

Lunchbox Tips, Tricks & Ideas

August 29, 2018 by Kelly Dedeaux

This post is sponsored by Babbleboxx & it’s partners. All opinions are mine alone. #lunchboxx2018

Back to school season is in full swing now, and I have to say that one of the biggest stresses during the school year in the past has always been dealing with packing lunches. With five kids, it adds a ton of time in the morning; you have to deal with kids liking different things, plus you want to ensure they get quality foods. With the help of some of the trusted brands we love, we’re sharing some Lunchbox Tips, Tricks and Ideas with you to help ease the chaos!

First of all, save time where you can. If you can send a whole apple instead of slices, that saves you cutting time. Cooking any meats or steaming veggies in a big batch for several days or the week saves you from doing it daily. You can also save so much time by skipping the grocery shopping – by using Shipt for convenient same-day delivery!

With an annual membership, you get access to free, unlimited deliveries (for orders over $35). You put in your zip code, then it displays what stores are available to choose from. You select whichever you desire, then browse through the products online. You can even add notes to each item (like on tomatoes, if you want ones to use immediately or ones that aren’t quite ripe enough yet so they’ll last a few more days) to help your personal shopper get what you want! Either in a browser on your computer or with the app conveniently from your mobile device, you select your one-hour delivery window and pay. I love Shipt grocery delivery because it’s reliable, and saves me an hour or more each shopping ‘trip’!

Use this link to sign up for Shipt for just a $49 annual membership fee!

Another important thing is to include protein for a healthy diet. After talking with several friends and other moms, I was actually surprised how many said they don’t really pack anything with protein because it’s difficult to do. My tips for helping include protein are to:

prepare meats ahead of time, then serve in various ways (sliced for a salad topper, in a nacho salad, as a steak burrito, etc.) for the week
be sure to include freezer packets or something to keep the meat safe

For example, at the beginning of the week we would prepare a few days’ worth of meats and protein. You can even make even healthier choices by ordering Pre Beef, which is not only from grass fed and sourced from nutrient-rich pastures (and raised with care), but have no added antibiotics or hormones! They even come in neatly sealed clear bags, so you can see ALL sides of your beef.

We tried out their Ribeye and Top Sirloin Steak first (I’m a HUGE steak fan, for anyone who knows me), and we loved the great flavor in the meats. Their Chuck Roast piece (beef shoulder) was ideal for Sunday dinner, having everyone asking for more. And since ground beef is perfect for many quick weeknight dinners (or include for tacos or burritos for lunch), we enjoyed their 85% Lean Ground Beef as well as their 95% Lean option. Pre Brands online meat delivery also goes with our first tip of saving time, because it comes to you – so you can buy delicious, grass fed beef online easily!

Use Code: BUSYMOM for 10% off your order through October 31, 2018!

You can also use code: BTS40 for 40% off 85% or 80% lean ground beef – expires Sept. 21, 2018.

Along with delicious, fresh beef (protein), don’t forget some quality grains such as Lundberg White Rice & Quinoa Entrees. They’re super easy to make, taking 20 minutes or less on your stove, and can be packed easily for a delicious lunch. Not only do they taste great, but they’re made with quality ingredients, such as organic white rice or organic American-grown quinoa.

For those that are more careful and attentive to what they eat, you’ll appreciate that these tasty, convenient rice and quinoa entrees are vegan-friendly, USDA Organic, non-GMO and ALSO gluten-free verified. My friend whose family has severe gluten allergies will really enjoy these! The Rice Pilaf was the overall favorite, but my personal favorite was the Rosemary & Olive Oil quinoa blend.

My last big lunchbox tip is to include snacks and (yes, I’m gonna suggest it) TREATS! Just like us adults may need a pick-me-up between meals, our kids do as well. They need to be focused on learning, growing and playing – not focused on feeling too hungry. Since it can be worrisome at school with lunches and snacks about allergies, I really appreciate that MadeGood products are made in a facility that’s free of the EIGHT common allergens – peanuts and tree nuts, wheat, dairy, eggs, soy, sesame, fish and shellfish.

MadeGood has school safe snacks such as healthy granola bars, crispy squares, soft baked cookies and even the cute granola minis. If your kids – or kids in your child’s class – have allergies, there’s no reason to miss out on delicious goodies, especially since they’re a healthier option. Their snacks are organic, gluten-free and also non-GMO project verified. And if you look close at the wrappers – veggies, too! You wouldn’t know from the taste because WOW they’re delicious (yes, I snuck some of the kids’ snacks to try for myself – shhh!), and the kids love them. Having some very close friends whose family has many allergies, I’m thrilled we can have something at our house (or to take with us on outings) that are allergy free, so everyone can enjoy.

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Easy meals for moms can be for breakfast, too – check this recipe out!

Ingredients

Directions

What are your best tips for owning an older house?

Ingredients

Directions

What’s YOUR favorite recipe to use RAGÚ® Sauce in?

How would YOU program your Philips Hue lighting?

What are your best lunchbox tips, tricks & ideas?