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Have you seen the Muppets yet?  I haven’t due to my headaches (but I have great news on my Migraines for you soon).  It is doing so well in the theatres!  How about some fun facts about it?

FUN FACTS
BY THE NUMBERS
LUCKY NUMBER SEVEN — Disney’s “The Muppets” is the 7th feature film featuring the Muppets.
MANY MUPPETS — More than 120 Muppets appear in the film.
STEPPIN’ OUT – The film tapped 60 dancers to perform with Jason Segel and Amy Adams for …

by Heather Dugdale of http://www.recoveringworkingmom.com/ 
It’s that time of year where mommies over-schedule and over-commit themselves only to add a trip in the middle of the madness.
Here’s what I learned about holiday traveling with kids:

Don’t do it!  Tell your relatives they can bring their @$$es to your house until the children can pack and drive themselves.
If you decide NOT to heed #1, try these “tricks”:

1. Separate clothes. Pack kids’ clothes in gallon size plastic bags separated by child, by day.
2. Make sure the children pick the outfits or you will surely choose clothes they …

 
Hi ho, friends! With Disney’s “The Muppets” coming to theaters soon in their brand new, big-screen comedy adventure, it’s time to answer that all-important question:
WHICH MUPPET ARE YOU?
Don’t worry, this won’t involve turning green or growing fur, all you have to do to find out is answer the following questions:
Question 1: What do your co-workers often find in your e-mails?
A) Hi ho! A simple and friendly greeting.
B) A joke. They may not need it, but they’re going to read it!
C) A demand, a self-flattering remark, and a reference to yourself …

Trisha at MomDot shared this on MomDot.com so I gave it a whirl. Not at all surprised about who Tweets more! LOL But it’s lots of fun seeing what it says we Tweet about…Try it!

In Disney’s “The Muppets,” Animal is enrolled in an anger management class. But, with help from the Muppets, he has achieved personal & artistic balance. Now, Animal helps you find your inner Animal with…
ANIMAL’S FIVE RULES OF COOL
A guide to life from Drummer, Rock Icon, Force of Nature,
Anger Management Graduate Animal
LIVE LOUD!!!! – Anything worth doing is worth doing at high-decibel. Whether it’s playing drums, singing, expressing your opinion or simply wearing a really loud sports coat, this is a surefire way to make sure the world knows who you …

Yep, it is my birthday today and it is the one day I have no problem saying, “This is my day…Let’s focus on me!   I anticipate a nice day all around…my kids will be singing in the Sacrament program today and my Mom is making my favorite dinner – Macaroni and Cheese, Angie’s Salad, a green vegetable and Pumpkin Pie.  Yummy!  I am turning 46 and figure it is sure to be a better year.  Besides, getting older sure beats the alternative!  Hah!  So go ahead and party …

Rev your engines as your favorite characters from Cars are back with Cars 2 racing into theatres everywhere on June 24th! Here is a brief synopsis of Pixar’s follow-up film to the Academy Award Winning Cars:
When star racecar Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) and the incomparable tow truck Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy) head overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix, Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage!

Want to do a really fun thing this weekend?  Take a step back in time with Memory Lane and see how summer activities have been showcased throughout the years.
This weekend is the best time to check out www.MemoryLane.com because on May 20, 21 & 22 it’s FREE to view ALL 100 million pieces of content on the site.  That includes watching all the your favorite 80s music videos, browsing through issues of LIFE magazine, Ladies Home Journal from the 40s and searching for your old High …

WALT DISNEY PICTURES
Website and Mobile site: Disney.com/Prom
Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/DisneyProm
Follow us on Twitter: Twitter.com/DisneyPictures
Genre: Drama-Comedy
Rating: …

Things have changed a lot since I was a kid and I know for a fact that when I was growing up, we were a lot more active. I remember often that, during the summer months, we would come home, as the sun was getting ready to go down. This was, of course, just in time for supper. Now kids seem much more prone to stay in doors and with cell phones, the Internet, and video games, it seems like kids are becoming more hermit-like. This concern seems to be …

Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Rob Marshall, “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” captures the fun, adventure and humor that ignited the hit franchise—this time in Disney Digital 3D™. Johnny Depp returns to his iconic role of Captain Jack Sparrow in an action-packed adventure. Crossing paths with the enigmatic Angelica (Penélope Cruz), he’s not sure if it’s love—or if she’s a ruthless con artist who’s using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. When she forces him aboard the “Queen Anne’s Revenge,” the ship of the …

One of the best parts about my job as a blogger is that I get to share the best parts of some of  my favorites old and new.
My latest find was Here Comes Peter Cottontail on DVD, just like I used to watch as a kid.  Originally released in 1971 and since remastered in High Definition, I have talked to a few people and they either never saw it or do not remember it, leaving me the fun of introducing it to not only my children but any adult who …

Dad made me a ‘castle’

And it’s mine…

It’s ALL mine!  Bwwaahhhh!
P3 3/2011 Texas

If you have a picture up for Wordless Wednesday, leave your link below in Mr.Linky. Then you can head on over to 5 Minutes for Mom, Double Bugs,  The Not-So-Blog Blog,  Go Graham Go, Mommy Goggles, Momspective, Look What Mom Found – and Dad Too!, Mom of 3 Girls,  Life With Lisa , The Divine Miss Mommy,  Little Village Naturals, Mom Start,  …

…It wastes your time and annoys the pig!
Brett trying to teach 4yr old P3 Chess
(at her request) 3/11

If you have a picture up for Wordless Wednesday, leave your link below in Mr.Linky. Then you can head on over to 5 Minutes for Mom, Double Bugs,  The Not-So-Blog Blog,  Go Graham Go, Mommy Goggles, Momspective, Look What Mom Found – and Dad Too!, Mom of 3 Girls, The Divine Miss Mommy,  Little Village Naturals, …

Well, this week had the potential for several semi big – well, at least big to me – things happen like a pitch I wanted, a writing job I really wanted, and above all,  for my Migraines to be completely gone.  Of them all, my Migraines departure the most important and I did get a significtant decrease but not all so can now say with enthusiasm…..
THIS PAST WEEK TOTALLY SUCKED !!!!!!!!

However, like Scarlett O’Hara once said”, Tomorrow will be another day.”

We are happy to announce that the Marino Andriani LLC social media community is now live on Facebook and Twitter! To announce this launch, we will be hosting a giveaway where the selected winner will receive their favorite SparkleBee designed product!
Check out our Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sparkle-Bee-from-Marino-Andriani/141538819235849) to enter the exclusive contest to win your favorite MALLC designed products.
Members of the SparkleBee community will have a chance to vote on upcoming product designs, submit their own ideas, and participate in giveaways to win their favorite, fan-designed …

Okay guys, I was not going to post this then I saw the video and it is hysterical and I knew you would love it.  Here it is http://bit.ly/StateFairCornDogs.  State Fair is America’s #1 Corn Dog brand, and perfect for meals, snacks, appetizers, parties, or any on-the-go occasion, the perfect Super Bowl Snack!

My kids always go wacky for Wubbzy.  There are three episodes.
n Mr. Valentine, Wow! Wow! Love is in the air!  Wubbzy, Widget, Walden and Daizy go crazy in these Valentine-themed episodes full of friendship and appreciation!
In Cupid’s Helper, What happens when Wubbzy uses Cupid’s bubble-blower to bring together Wuzzleburg’s oddest couples?
In My Speedy Valentine, Can Wubbzy and friends find the fastest way ever to make their own valentines?
We had to watch them all to find out and were not gonna tell because that would spoil the story …

What I wouldn’t give for a good pair of jeans.  I was recently going through my closet and noticing how little I had to wear.  Of course I never have had tons. It had nothing to do with money and everything to do with what I was doing at the time.  I wore jeans all through High School as much as  possible and would have continued the rest of my life if I could.  I continued wearing them my first semester of college until I came home and worked at …

Thought you’d be interested in a fun Valentine’s Day survey conducted by social texting application textPlus.
“b mine” “I <3 u” “ur hot” – not exactly sonnets, but these little love notes are what today’s teenagers are most likely to send and receive on February 14…
According to a survey of 705 textPlus users ages 13-17:
-        Nearly 40% said they think it’s ok to tell someone “I love you” for the first time via text message, and 35% have actually done it
-        35% of those who choose …

Thanks to Trop 50 for sponsoring my writing about fabulous bloggers. This year Trop50 is granting 50 fabulous wishes. Click here to enter for a chance to win $1,000 to help grant a friend’s wish!
While I know the 5 bloggers I am going to write about would prefer to go incognito, especially this first one, alas, it is not possible.
Kim Grabinski is one of my most wondrous and dearest friends and we just happened to have met online. She is so unassuming yet incredibly talented and gives of her talents …

1. I think part of a best friend’s job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.
2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you’re …

Santa is cute and I have always liked the Jolly Green Giant. Here they have teamed up to wish you a Happy Holidays.

Congratulations go to Julie L!  Thanks to everyone else who was interested.  Stay tuned for what MyBlogSpark brings us with the new year…it should be even better!
These days we are eating a lot easy to prepare and items that have something for everyone at our house.  Progresso Soups meet just those requirements.  If you have seen the recent Progresso commercials  with the tin can phones, then you might enjoy what my daughters did here.

Hey did you hear what we are having for dinner?
No, What?
Some soup with loads of vegetables in …

Zappos.com reveals top five gifts to steer clear of when gift giving this holiday season, and also provides some helpful suggestions on what makes a fabulous gift!
# 5:
Beef & Cheese Basket – Let’s face it, any sodium-infused sausage or cheese product that is shipped across the country without being refrigerated can’t be healthy! If you still have a hankering for a roast beef sandwich, Zappos.com suggests the Chef’s Choice Premium Food Slicer, or to satisfy your desire for gourmet cheese, you can serve it up on a Swissmar Acacia …

I thought I’d share this heartfelt PARADE story from our 11/28 issue about one family from Washington state who found a novel way to keep Dad, who shipped out to Iraq in 2008, close by.   It’s such a perfect story for the holidays and really resonates with Americans’ feelings about family and patriotism.
Seattle resident Marissa Stewart knew nothing could replace Daddy (US Army Staff Sgt. Jared Steward) for her three young kids. Still she was afraid they would start to forget about their father.   The …

I can remember not understanding how children ever got alone long enough to draw on walls with markers even up until I had my third child.  Now I understand.  Questions in this game are hilarious now whereas they may have just gone over my head earlier in my life.  No, they are not just for more experienced parents only but the humor quotient increases exponentially.
There are much funnier questions than ‘who is …

Blurt is a hilarious, fast-paced game of rapid recall that will have both kids and adults scrambling to be the first to shout out a word based on a given definition. In the heat of the race to call out the right word, even bookworms with big vocabularies may find themselves tongue-tied. With a Junior Version that gives kids as young as seven years old a chance to learn new words, Blurt is both educational and fun for groups of three to 12 players.
My …

Based on the cuddly stuffed toy line (also known as “Go Go Hamsters,”) the Zhu Zhu Pets video game is an action-adventure with forgiving controls, aimed at younger gamers. Players guide their favorite furry character to run through a city-sized hamster habitat game world, uncovering new areas, and unlocking new items and power-ups. Players can choose from nine main Zhu Zhu Pets characters: Patches, Nugget, Winkie, Jilly, Scoodles, Pipsqueak, Mr. Squiggles, Chunk, and Num Nums. Each character is designed with a distinct personality, …

Dora’s Big Birthday Adventure Game from Nova Development is for PC and MAC and is geared towards preschoolers ages 2-5.  It is based upon the popular Nickelodeon children’s character Dora the Explorer to educate and entertain all at the same time..
Develop essential preschool learning skills with the top-rated preschool phenomenon and all her friends! Play 8 Great Interactive Games – with 3 different levels in each – to learn more and win big every time. Now everyone can help Dora celebrate her Big Birthday Adventure™ …

Step into the spotlight in the “Sock It To ‘Em iTelethon”
Features

Help Carly keep the gigantic sock Telethon online
Make sure Freddie keeps his camera in focus
Keep Spencer and Sam out of trouble at the Judge’s table
Watch out for unhappy performers, broken lights, sock attacks & more that stand in your way!

iCarly, the top-rated, 2009 Emmy nominated and 2010 Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards Winner for Favorite Kids TV Show, introduces this great new software title sure to have kids 8-12 glued to their screens and …

Visualize being in the hospital after having just given birth to your first living, breathing baby.  The nurse rolls the bassinet into your room, momentarily turns her back to you and turns back holding this little bundle you foggily think you wanted so badly for so long.  Oh, wait, you want ME to take her, your baby, you realize.  And then what?  You are handing me a bottle…you mean like I am supposed to feed her?  Hasn’t someone else been doing that?  Oh and there is stuff about charts and …

We’re giving away more than $20,000 in prizes!
Share your creativity with the world by designing the next Glade® Scented Oil Candle Decorative Glass Holder. If your design is a winner, it could be produced and sold in stores!  Hurry though and Enter your design now! Contest ends October 31, 2010

Remember me writing about the Glade candles a while back?  Well I love all kinds of Glade candles it would appear as I love these scented oil ones as well.  I have loved this one so, I have not been …

One.   Little.  Cat.  Dewey Readmore Books may just be the most famous cat since Garfield.  Seriously.  That is his name.  You see, Dewey is a famous cat who lived his whole life in a library in Spencer, Iowa. Someone put him in the book return slot one especially cold winter night. The library instantly fell in love with the helpless kitten and kept him at the library as their companion.
When his story, told by his “Mom,” librarian Vicki Myron, hit bookshelves in 2008, it became an …

CONGRATULATIONS nan lara!  You are the winner of the 2 Adult tickets!  You have already been emailed so just email me back with your address.
Thanks everyone else who participated.  Keep those eyes on that calendar as we edge closer and closer to the opening date for our Merry & Brite Holiday Gift Guide to start Nov. 1st  It is going to be great!
Sweet Tomatoes and Souplantation restaurants want to let you know that coming up this Sunday, October 17th, Sweet Tomatoes and Souplantation are holding their fourth annual pajama party …

Having never been a fan of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,when the new version came out, I had mixed feelings due to the fact that I ADORE M.Depp.  When I was recently sent a pretty big box filled with Wonka Exceptionals chocolate bars and fruit candies, I felt like something of a hypocrite for not having watched it.  So,at the net possible time…my hubby being more than happy to oblige as he l-o-v-e-s the movie, we watched Mr.Depp’s version.  I had to say it was about a zillion times …

CONGRATULATIONS JENNA at FOR LOVE OF BABY!!!!
Thanks guys for playing the trip along on this trip down memory land for some and just good fun for others.  Keep coming back – Merry & Brite Holiday Gift Guide starts Nov. 1st!
Remember back as a kid, making those  pointy triangle thingamajigs made out of paper that you swished back and fourth with your fingers while asking you friends questions?  Some people called them Cootie Catchers. Well if not , I have to tell you that I remember them vividly …

Oh! Nuts is partnering with Warner Bros. Entertainment to promote their upcoming movie  We will be hosting an online sweepstakes offering a chance to win a family trip for 4 to Hollywood, CA. For more information about the sweepstakes, check out the website at www.ohnuts.com/life/.
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Also, because I have more and more local readers, I am able to offer two tickets for free to a pre-screening of “Life As We Know It.”  How I wish I could go!

To sign up for a chance to go,
Make sure you are one of …

Now if this doesn’t clear your palate following several weeks of Books, nothing will!
One2One held a wonderful Milano Cookie  campaign last month so I am sure you have seen these around but it seemed like the perfect change of  taste.
My sweetest moments have been spent with my family, probably on vacation when we had no additional expectations out of life than just being together and having fun.  What were your sweetest moments this summer?

If your daughter loves the Disney Pricesses and she is choosing this book thinking it runs in the same vein, try again.  For roughly ages 7 to 9, it is kind of like a description of different types of Princesses…think a la Charmed just a younger set.  It does not read like a novel but rather like an encyclopedia – or for the computerized genre, a wikipedia.
Some of my favorite princesses were Princess for a Day: Looks somewhat like a Ladybug and is described as, “A member of a special …

Life moves too fast.
There you have the basic tenet of this interesting and helpful book written by Shannon Honeybloom.  She also thinks it’s time to change all that.
She’s a proponent of the Slow Home Movement, which she writes about in her book, “Making a Family Home.” In the book, she explains how to slow down the space you live in.
Anxiety-driven over-parenting has reached a peak, and parents everywhere are yearning to get ‘back to basics’ at home and with their children,” says Honeybloom, a parent and former educator. …

Now you tell me,who was having the most fun?  Hmm?
Brett, the 3P’s and at least 3 others
August 2010

If you have a picture up for Wordless Wednesday, leave your link below in the comment.  Then you can head on over to 5 Minutes for Mom, Double Bugs,  The Not-So-Blog Blog,  Wordful Wednesday, Go Graham Go, Mommy Goggles, Momspective, Look What Mom Found – and Dad Too!, Mom of 3 Girls, The Divine Miss Mommy,  …

Basically, Oscar is a pig.   He is a very cute little pig.  He is a very cute little pig with a problem – his Mommy is going back to work and he doesn’t really know what that means.  Will she come home?  Will she still love him?  Will she still have time for him?  These concerns and many more roll around in Oscar’s head.
Then he meets Mrs Tutu and his life is never the same. Mrs Tutu makes life everyday so fun and exciting and vivacious (whatever that means) and …

“S-s-s-Santa?’

This image was taken using the AWESOME Olympus STYLUS TOUGH 8000!

Remember The Daughter-in-Law Rules?
Well, now Sally Sheilds, the author has a cool thing ~ an iPhone app! It’s actually a DIL Rules Quiz
that you can download for free by going to the iAPP store on an iPhone and punching in:
iDIL

You will see this:

Then the Quiz will appear something like this:

Enjoy!

I know that the Luck ‘o the Irish and everyone else is with me because I have wonderful readers and friends like YOU!
We are having a crazy day at home, spent with the oldest 2 Ps spending most of the day in their rooms grounded for hosing down the garage yesterday (yes, you read that correctly, the GARAGE FULL OF STUFF – they actually did us a favor but it was the principle of the thing…without asking, while babysitter was here, and doing nothing to try and clean it up:).  …

This contest has closed and the winners are announced HERE.
Thanks to everyone whoo enjoyed our little inpromptu giveaway!  Watch for our Mother’s Day one in April!
I love to read but rarely have time these days.  However,  32 Third Graders and One Class Bunny: Life Lessons from Teaching was a quick and easy read, written in short, entertaining chapters by someone who knows.  I have seriously laughed and cried the whole way through the book. Written by Phillip Done’, his tales from the elementary trenches are both heartwarming and hilarious at …

I published this back in 2006, while waiting for P3 to come home.  Funny then, funny now and with Chinese New Year, we can all use some Zen Wisdom! 

1. Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just pretty much leave me alone.
2. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt and leaky tire.
3. It’s always darkest before dawn. So if you’re going to …

Child ActivatedAttention Deficit Disorder.:)

This is how it manifests:
I decide to do the laundry. As I start toward the basement, I notice that there are cheerios all over the floor and my house keys are in the cereal bowl. I decide to pick up the cheerios before I do the laundry.
I lay my keys down on the counter, put the cheerios in the trash can under the counter, and notice that the trash can is full. So, I decide to take out the trash. But then I think, since I’m …