Mommies With Style

My Facebook status this weekend read: About to watch Motherhood. Will be interesting to see how Hollywood depicts my life in a movie.

Little did I know just how much of my life I was about to see. Uma Thurman is Eliza, a mom to 2 kids, a dog, and, at times, her sometimes scatterbrained husband, played by Anthony Edwards, in Greenwhich Village. What you realize within the first few minutes is that Eliza isn’t just a mom, she’s a Mom Blogger. (Have to mention that the movie was completely stolen by Minnie Driver who portrayed an amazing divorced, very pregnant Mama.)

Motherhood traces Eliza’s ups and downs through her typical-mothering day. Always a small problem abounds: like losing her parking spot or finding her child’s name misspelled on her birthday cake. While I wouldn’t call the movie hysterical, there were certainly enough parts that I could identify with that I found myself laughing, and other times tearing (how sweet when she watches her daughter on her last day being 5). Of course, like so many movies about parenthood, there are parts that seem so far-fetched and unbelieveable that I also laughed, and cried.

Motherhood was released to video yesterday and it’s 48% off at Amazon. Definitley a movie for a mom who needs a lift or a laugh, at her own (and other mom’s) expenses.

A Motherhood DVD was provided for this review.

My time at the Toy Fair in NYC was kicked off by Disney-Pixar’s Toy Story 3 Event, showcasing the more than 250 new Toy Story 3 Toys. The newest Toy Story movie will be released on June 18.

In the film, Andy is now 18 and going off to college. His parents donate his toys to the Sunnyside Day Care Center — which looks terrific…. at first. Things quickly deteriorate and the toys need to be rescued. Will Andy get there in time? Click here to watch the trailer.

To unveil the Toy Story 3 toys, the Green Army Men repelled from the ceiling in “take-over” mode to look at some of the new toys releasing this Summer and into the 2010 Holiday season.  John Lasseter, chief creative officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, Lee Unkrich, director, Toy Story 3, Darla K. Anderson, producer, Toy Story 3 and John Ratzenberger, voice of Hamm, were on hand to introduce the new toys.
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I could not be more excited about an upcoming trip my family has planned to Walt Disney World in Orlando.  My parents live in Florida, so we get a lot of opportunities to get to the parks for a day here and there but rarely plan the big week-long trip.  This year we decided to go for it, as we are able to combine it with my attendance at the Social Media Moms Celebration.

Over the following weeks, no doubt I’ll have many reviews in relation to our trip.  But I wanted to start at the beginning, which is where I am now – in the planning stage.

Two resources that are providing invaluable to me are:
Beyond the Attractions: A Guide to Walt Disney World with Preschoolers - the author, Lisa Battista, sent me a copy of her book a few weeks back before I even knew we were going.  As I have a 6 year old and a 3 year old, I knew this book was perfect for us as soon as we booked the trip. 

It’s been a wonderful resource and easy read for tips on good things to do with young kids while at the parks.

And I signed myself back up for Tour Guide Mike – an informational website that gives subscribed users valuable information on the parks from a seasoned Disney veteran.  The last time we visited Disney in February of 2008, I used and reviewed this service. 

The insight I received on this site two years ago saved us hours of lines and hassle.  There was no doubt in my mind that I would be doing it again.  I’m basing my entire itinerary on his recommendation for this trip as well.

Sign up for a year subscription and you pay $21.95 a year.  Such a little price to pay to avoid long lines and serious irritation!

If you’re looking for terrific family-friendly entertainment, then you’re going to love the Big Apple Circus! The Big Apple Circus will be in New York City until January 18th and then back later in the spring.

All the acts were terrific! The show features the return of Bello Nock (who just returned to the Big Apple Circus after a 9 season break). Named “America’s Best Clown” by Time Magazine, he was utterly child-like and delightful. Grandma the Clown was hysterical. Played by Barry Lubin (yup, Grandma’s a man!), Grandma was sweet and graciously posed for a photograph with us during intermission. The performers hail from America, Armenia, Brazil, Bulgaria, China, England, France, Germany, Italy and Russia. All the dogs used in the production have been rescued from shelters.

My two children, ages 4 and almost 2, were in heaven. My 4 year old son, who has sensory issues, was completely mesmerized and couldn’t get enough. I was worried that he might get upset with the lights and sounds, but he was entranced and loved everything. My almost 2 year old had a harder time sitting.Besides dancing in front of her seat and clapping enthusiastically, she also tried to imitate some of the acrobats, while sitting on my lap!

Use code: MOMMY10 here for a 10% discount.

The writer received complimentary tickets.

Although I definitely have some fun memories of my Dad playing Pong and Frogger with us on our first game system, an Atari back in the ’80s, those memories and those games seem pretty lame compared to the kind of comphrehensive game play for everyone that the Wii can provide.  (Not to mention the upgraded technology in the last 20 years, of course!)

We’ve had our Wii just shy of two years now and we really do have a game for everyone in our house.  We even have games we play over the Internet with my parents from their Wii down in Florida, which provides endless entertainment.

I’m starting this review out this way because I know not everyone has a Wii yet and I definitely recommend it for all ages.  If you don’t have a Wii, don’t just skip over this review.  There are games for toddlers, games for kids of all ages.   There are games you can play and games your parents can play.  Really!   There is truly something for everyone. 

This year the price has come down for the first time since the system released – you can now get the entire system for $199.99.  Check your local stores – I do know they are limiting only one Wii per house at various stores.

Below is my list of Holiday Picks for the Wii this Holiday season:

Birthday Bash - Over 20 classic birthday party games including Pin the Tail, Hot Potato, Present Frenzy, Balloon Popper, Musical Chairs, Sack Race and many more.   It’s a lot like Carnival Games – mini games that are fun for the whole family.  $17.99 on Amazon.

Animal Crossing: City Folk - okay, okay you could call me a tad obsessed.  But read my review from earlier this year (“I think Mommy likes this game more than the kids“) to see why.  We adore this game.  Everyone in our house plays this from my 3-year-old on up through my 36-year-old husband; it’s definitely a family affair.  $39.77 on Amazon.

It’s also available for the Nintendo DS.  I bought it back in November for a road trip and it’s virtually the same game and same fun.  It’s called Animal Crossing: Wild World, and although it’s tough to find in-store (I tried 3 stores), I was able to order it off Amazon with no issue for $33.48 with free shipping.I would imagine this one’s adorable for a girl to play.  Pick a baby (boy/girl) and care for it by teaching it how to walk, talk and play.  Potty train them and grow them through the toddler years.  $29.99 on Amazon. 

My First Baby Steps – A great game for girls.  Select a baby (boy or girl) and feed them, teach them how to walk and much more.  It’s cute – hours of simulation fun at a basic level.

And if you like that, check out Imagine’s Party Babyz where you can dress your baby and play games with them.  This one’s $14.99 (currently 25% off) on Amazon.

Family Fun Football – this game is described as “catering to the casual gamer,” which is alright by me as we have young kids in the house.  I look at this one as a good intro to playing football games on the Wii.  “Family Fun Football offers a coaching playbook that makes it easy for everyone to learn and understand the game of football.”  It’s $29.99 on Amazon.

Currently the#1 selling video game on Amazon is Super Mario Bros.   Santa may have to bring this one to our house as I have fond memories of playing the original on our first Nintendo when I was in high school.  You can have up to four players on screen with this game which makes it a fun all-play game for the entire family.  $49.99 on Amazon.

Samples of some of the above games were provided for review purposes.

When I think of cookbooks, they fall into 2 categories: those for gourmet or professional cooks and those for non-cooks or beginners. But authors Max & Eli Sussman merged the two categories in their  new cookbook: Freshman in the Kitchen. Recipes are created to instruct ”from Clueless Cook to Creative Chef.” They don’t just tell you to boil the egg, they teach you to do it.

This cookbook has everything I look for in a cookbook: pictures, simple instructions, and binding that stays open easily. Its also printed on a glossier stock so that it wipes clean easily from spills and splashes. And I love that they give you tips to alter your recipes. Because I always alter my recipes.

The introduction helps readers set up their kitchen and pantry and teaches you how to grocery shop and save money. It also introduces you to the authors, brothers who learned to cook from scratch in the kitchen with their mother and now cook professionally.

As soon as I opened the cookbook, I knew I wanted to make a Peanut Butter and Jelly Smoothie, which I found to be a great, simple snack. This week I’ll be making eggplant parmesan, from scratch. I love that throughout the book cooking terms are defined and tips, like “leftover tips” and “Sophisticated Crowd-Pleaser Tip” (as found on the page for Eggplant Parmesan), teach you as you cook. Plus there are friendly little notes about the foods from the authors.

I’m planning to gift Freshman in the Kitchen to a few members of the family. Especially the one who calls, like I did in the past, for instructions on boiling an egg and for a definition of braising. Its all in the book.

Freshman in the Kitchen was provided as a sample for review on MWS.

Congrats to Diana B. from NY for winning a Princess and Pirate Party Package from My Princesss Party To Go who takes all of the stress out of planning the most amazing party ever! With several different party in a box themes, you’ll be sure to find one that is perfect for your prince or princess.

Most packages come with enough items for 8 party guests but you can add a set of everything for as many guests as you need! My Princess Party To Go also carries individual items that can be purchased separately if you want to create your own theme. Choose from a gorgeous selection of beautiful, affordable Princess Dresses, Boys Dress Up (Knight, Prince, Wizard, Pirate) Tiaras & Wands, Party Favors and Crafts!

My Princess Party To Go not only ships you everything you need for a complete birthday party but they tell you all that you need to know! Receive 15% off of your order by entering “Mommies with Style Coupon” in the send seller a message section on the second page of Pay Pal checkout.

Used to be a time when I was left without a single show to watch on a Wednesday night. But not this season. Between Glee, Modern Family, The Middle and Cougartown I could easily rename Wednesday nights, Couch Potato night. Thanks to Fancast, I don’t have to be a Couch Potato and I also don’t have to miss any of these great new shows.

Oh if only I had the time to be a Couch Potato! Of course, as a busy working mom I often try to squeeze in my work at night, and then when I do sit down to try and watch a show live, I am so exhausted that I find myself passing out before the punchline.  So I set my DVR, in my bedroom with every intention of catching it later. But of course when I am ready to watch the show I’m not in my bedroom – I am in the kitchen, doing bills. And heaven forbid that I set the downstairs DVR to record two shows on opposing channels when my kids want to watch the latest episode of their favorite shows. Sound familiar?

Ironically we don’t even watch that much TV. It’s too complicated to set the DVRs! All I want to do is watch a show here and there, when and where I want!

This is exactly why I am so happy to have found Fancast. Want to know a “dirty little secret” that is a perfect example of why Fancast is so awesome? I got to school a half hour early today to pick up my kids. While I was sitting in my car (in the prime parking space, ha ha!) and my toddler was napping, I was able to hop on the school’s community wireless network and surf on over to Fancast and watch the episode of The Middle that I missed last week. Sure the other moms may have thought I was crazy, snorting in front of my computer, in my car, but who cares? Have you seen that show? Hysterical! I’m still laughing. What a nice little pick me up in the middle of my day. Calorie free too.

I’m completely sold on Fancast now. They aggregate video content from all over the web (including all the stuff from Hulu and the networks) and also have more original content, interviews, video clips etc than anyone else.  I don’t have a ton of time to myself in my busy day, but I love having the freedom to chill out and watch a show whenever, wherever I have a wireless connection, and happen to be waiting with a few minutes to spare.

Check out the shows on Fancast yourself. There are over 10,000 hrs of online programming and over 60,000 videos to choose from. It’s totally free, though I should warn you that there are  a few commercials. They are really brief though, around 30 seconds or less, which is ok with me given the convenience and the fact that it is gratis. It’s so great to finally be untethered from my DVR!

My family had a fantastic time at the Wachovia Center here in Philly last night.  We went to see Disney on Ice: 100 Years of Magic, courtesy of Mom Central.  I have to say – I was really impressed with the show and we had a fun experience.

We were seated in the 6th row, which helped, and my boys loved seeing all of their favorite characters skating and acting on the ice.  Mickey, Minnie and Donald were favorites of course, but they were also especially thrilled to see Buzz and Woody from A Toy Story and the Incredibles. 

Pretty much every major Disney character was represented at some point during the two hour show – including each of the Princesses (which was probably the only lull for my kids – we don’t do princesses here since I’m in a world of two boys).  Other favorite acts included Mulan, Pinocchio (the whale was impressive!) and Nemo.

Overall, it was a wonderful experience – not something I would have normally thought to do but I’m so glad we went and I recommend anyone will young children check it out. 

Tip:I went to the Dollar Store earlier in the day and bought glow sticks for my kids, which I highly recommend beforehand as the souvenirs get expensive. 

Use coupon code MOM on www.comcasttix.com for four tickets for $44 for Monday through Friday matinee shows, and  $4 off Friday night and weekend shows.  At least four tickets need to  be purchased for the code to be valid.

The Big Apple Circus is coming to NYC! While you can’t run away to join it,  you can enter our Big Apple Circus Giveaway! This year’s show is called “Bello is Back”.

We are giving away one Family 4 Pack of tickets with Mezzanine seats (No seat is more than 50 feet away from the main stage).

The Big Apple Circus will be held Oct. 22- Jan 18, 2010, under the Big Top in Damrosh Park (near Lincoln Center).
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