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Day Out With Thomas The Train In Snoqualmie WA

July 13, 2011 By 15 Comments

Day Out With Thomas the Train tours across America during the summer time making little one’s like mine smile and stare in awe as Thomas the Train takes the track

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Snoqualmie Washington is home to the Northwest Railway Museum. We’ve been there a few times for the toddler train that they do during the summer time, this was our first time to go there to see Thomas. Miles was super excited. Even sitting in the train you could see his satisfaction knowing he was riding a train pulled by Thomas.

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The view from the train was the Snoqualmie Falls from the back. Andrew and I have been to the falls a few times, doing the hike all the way down to the bottom of the falls and back up to the top is quite a jaunt. See it from the train is much more relaxing.

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The train ride lasts about 25 minutes, we ride in one direction stop and then return in the opposite direction back to the train station. Your day out with Thomas also includes kids music from different performers, tattoos, picture opportunities with Thomas and with Sir Toppan Hat, and the kids were all afraid of him. There were four stations for the kids to visit and after visiting all four stations they received small prize. Both Miles and Zoe were quite excited to accomplish vising all four stations. 

Other Train Cars at the Northwest Railway Museum:

The Northwest Railway Museum was founded in 1957 as the Puget Sound Railway Historical Association. In September 1999 the name was formally changed to The Northwest Railway Museum. It is the largest and most comprehensive railway museum in Washington State. The Northwest Railway Museum is a non-profit corporation.

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And finally a little boy saying good bye to Thomas

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We received tickets to the Day Out With Thomas Event all opinions are our own.

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Wordless Wednesday Zoe in Wonderland Falling through the Rabbit Hole

July 12, 2011 By 47 Comments

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Simply Pepperoni Biscuit Calzones

July 12, 2011 By 16 Comments

I love pizza and anything that is remotely close to it. Yes, I prefer to make my own pizza dough but sometimes it just takes more time than I have. So I use biscuit dough, and this time I used the Pillsbury Simply Biscuits to make calzones.

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I like to spray my pans with a non-stick spray even though they are non-stick pans. So I sprayed my pan rolled out the biscuits and placed them on the tray.

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Then I spooned out some pizza sauce, added pepperoni and cheese. Feel free to put whatever you enjoy on your pizza in your calzone.

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Simply Pepperoni Biscuit Calzones Recipe

Ingredients:

Pillsbury Simply Biscuits
1 cup Pepperoni
1 cup Tomato Sauce
1 cup Mozzerella cheese

Directions:

Roll out each biscuit
Place on a non-stick pan
Pour a spoonful of sauce on each one
Add three pieces of pepperoni
Fold Over into a calzone

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DYMO LabelManager PNP Label Maker Review

July 12, 2011 By 10 Comments

Labels are great for organizing your office and let me tell you, my office needs organization. I have bins in my garage and it would be nice to have some labels on them telling me what they are. So a new label maker would be handy.

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We received the DYMO® LabelManager® PNP label maker from DYMO to review. The DYMO LabelManager 420P device is actually created for heavy users in large corporations, and the DYMO LabelManager PnP label maker is for people like me, small office-based users. It was designed with numerous features that streamline and economize the production of labels for any imaginable business use.  A key feature for each is PC* and Mac®** compatibility and it’s true to it’s word, it’s quite easy to plug and play. You’ll be printing labels in no time at all. No need for software, just plug and play!

“Research tells us that people use label makers to save time and to work more efficiently,” says Julie Hibbard, DYMO Labeling. “With these new label makers — the LabelManager 420P and the LabelManager PnP — we have further simplified our products to make labeling easier than ever.”

About the DYMO LabelManager PnP Label Maker

imagePrinting labels really is fast and easy with the DYMO LabelManager PnP label maker. With no software to install, really none at all, the label maker plugs right into a PC or Mac® to create professional looking, customized labels using the fonts and graphics on the computer. Lightweight and compact, DYMO LabelManager PnP label maker is ideal for labeling at the desk. You will be able to organize your entire office in the time it takes you to organize your papers, because you won’t be waiting on labels to print at all. They’ll be done as you need them. Just type what you want the labels to say and hit print!

Other features of the LabelManager PnP label maker include:

· No software to install
· PC* and Mac®*** compatibility
· Customize your label with any fonts or graphics on your computer
· No power adapter or AA batteries needed – conveniently charges via USB
· Uses DYMO D1 labels in 1/4”, 3/8” and 1/2” widths, for maximum flexibility

An international jury bestowed to both the LabelManager 420P and the LabelManager PnP label makers a prestigious iF Product Design Award for 2011from the iF International Forum Design. The DYMO LabelManager 420P label maker is available for USD $109.99 and the DYMO LabelManager PnP label maker is available for USD $59.99 in catalogs and online.  If you wish to read more information about each, visit www.dymo.com.

We received samples to facilitate this review.

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Winnie The Pooh Movie Review

July 11, 2011 By 11 Comments

Winnie The Pooh comes out in theaters on Friday July 15th and I recommend you take your little ones to go see it. It’s amazingly cute and makes me want to cuddle my plush and sing along with Zooey Deschanel as she brings new life to Winnie the Pooh’s theme song all the way to the end, and let me tell you. YOU MUST watch all of the credits! There is a fun surprise at the end!

Winnie the Pooh wakes up from his sleep, rather the narrator makes him get out of bed and all he can think about his honey. This bear is ready to eat. He even pictures his friends as honey pots. I love how Winnie the Pooh jumps in and out of the characters imagination.

WINNIE THE POOH

Christopher Robin comes for a visit and they all find the Eeyore needs a tail. The prize winner will receive a pot of honey, so you know that Pooh is the first one to come up with an idea. He uses his clock, but we quickly find that it just won’t work. So Eeyore is left without a tail and Pooh with an empty rumbly tummy.

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The Winnie The Pooh characters are so adorable and I love how Disney decided to let them play with the text. There are a few times when they play with and use the letters to solve problems.

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We’re also reminded time after time that they aren’t the brightest bunch of apples, but the kids will find so much humor in the movie. As I was watching it, I was laughing and thinking of how much of the movie that Miles will love. There is a scene where Piglet gets stuck in a bee hive and well I know Miles is going to LOVE IT.

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The characters find a note left by Christopher Robin and it says Back soon but when they asked Owl to read it they think Christopher has been captured by a backson. So they all go out to rescue Christopher Robin and in the process they get stuck in a hole, left with Piglet to rescue them. As they were contemplating what the backson might look like and that dream like sequence might be a little scary to some. Just an FYI if you have extra sensitive kids, but it’s completely safe and perfect for kids. They are sure to laugh, and smile as they watch Winnie The Pooh over and over again all summer long!

Disney has succeeded yet again at making an adorable classic in Winnie The Pooh.

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Naturalizer Shoe To The Rescue

July 11, 2011 By 19 Comments

Last year was my first time to attend BlogHer, it wasn’t my first conference but it was my first BlogHer. BlogHer is the largest women’s blogging conference out there and many of the parties were off site and I did a LOT of walking. I knew that it was going to be that way and I did break in my shoes but it wasn’t enough. I still had blisters way before all was said and done. Here are the guilty parties:

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They may look innocent, but alas they are not. So this year my plan is to let Naturalizer sponsor me to Blogher 11 and let me sport three different styles of their brand representing comfort, fashion, and function!

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I know I have plenty of cute outfits to be matched with these shoes. The Alarm, Kiril, and Violette are made from rich leathers, soft suedes, and have cute details that I adore. The simple bows on the Alarm, the clasp on the Kiril both catch my eye with the simplicity and functionality they poses. It’s like Naturalizer footwear captures the essence of modern femininity, allowing me to walk around the Expo Hall, run to my room change my dress for the parties, but leave on the same shoes.

Here are a few of the outfits I plan on pairing them with. 

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Now, if Naturalizer chooses to sponsor me to Blogher this year, I also get to help others with Shoe To The Rescue. I’ll have 30 pairs in full and half sizes 4 – 11 of the Violette to give out to attendees I see in need of a "shoe rescue."  You know how I will identify you, I’ll be attending some of the parties and if I see you with your shoes off, I’ll know you need a "shoe rescue" and I’ll ask you what size you wear and we’ll get you hooked up with comfort.

Don´t forget to Follow Naturalizer on Twitter and Like Naturalizer on Facebook!

This opportunity was presented to me by Naturalizer and the Brown Shoe Company, through MyBlogSpark, and that this post serves as my entry to win a sponsorship for my attendance at the 2011 BlogHer Conference.

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Lionsgate Home Entertainment July Children’s Releases Giveaway

July 11, 2011 By 206 Comments
    Lionsgate puts out some really cute educational children’s programs. Two of them are Clifford the Big Red Dog and LeapFrog, a family favorite. My kids love watching LeapFrog and I love watching them learn from watching it. Miles learned to recognize most of his letters that way. This July, Lionsgate released two new titles under these family friendly programs.

Clifford the Big Red Dog: Dog Days of Summer

LeapFrog: Sing and Learn With Us!

    imageEnjoy the summer breeze and warm sunshine with beloved Scholastic character, Clifford the Big Red Dog™, as Lionsgate Home Entertainment releases Clifford the Big Red Dog: Dog Days of Summer this July 19th 2011. Arriving just in time for summer, this all-new Clifford adventure includes five fun-filled episodes that have never been released to DVD, but are sure to become another classic collection. The title supports a larger effort to reach kids and families across the country with the Clifford BE BIG Campaign for civic engagement.  Inspired by Clifford’s 10 Big Ideas (Share, Help Others, Be Kind, Be Responsible, Play Fair, Be a Good Friend, Believe in Yourself, Have Respect, Work Together and Be Truthful), the BE BIG campaign invites people of all ages to take positive action and make the world a better place. This DVD will focus on the Be Truthful theme of the campaign. In addition, the DVD contains the kid-friendly direct-play feature, allowing children to insert the DVD and watch without help from an adult.  Clifford the Big Red Dog: Dog Days of Summer, which also includes six bonus Speckle Stories, will be available July 19, 2011, for the suggested retail price of $14.98. 
    SYNOPSIS
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    Every summer day, Clifford™ sets out on fun-filled adventures with his friends and learns big lessons about friendship, loyalty, and other ways to BE BIG! In these five playful stories, Clifford discovers that one of the best ways to BE BIG is to always be truthful. From Emily Elizabeth teaching Clifford that it doesn’t help to hide things, to T-Bone learning to do the right thing, to Cleo learning a lesson when she plays tricks on her friends, cuddly Clifford leads neighbors and friends around Birdwell Island to learn how to BE BIG by always being kind to each other and being truthful!
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    image“Leap” into the “Back-to-School” season as Lionsgate Home Entertainment and top educational toy maker LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc., team up again to release LeapFrog: Sing and Learn With Us! this July 19th 2011. Originally available in the toy aisle as the “Sing-along Read-along” Early Reading Set, the title makes its DVD debut with an all-new cast of characters performing 12 animated sing-along shorts focusing on developmental reading skills, short vowels, phonics skills and comprehension. In addition, the release allows viewers to download 12 Sing-Along Storybooks so that children can bring these lessons wherever they go! Featuring brand new artwork designed to increase its profile on store shelves, LeapFrog: Sing and Learn With Us! will be available on July 19, 2011, for the suggested retail price of $14.98.
    LeapFrog, an education innovator and a leading developer of fun learning solutions for children, remains a favorite year after year and the brand continues to grow.  LeapFrog’s award-winning product portfolio is designed to help every child achieve their full potential by delivering best-in-class educational curricula through age-appropriate technology-based platforms, fun toys and engaging content.
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    SYNOPSIS
    Set the stage for independent reading with rocking songs, the fun, loveable characters of the Us band–Og, Al, Gus, Izzy and Meg–and easy-to-read-along stories! Children are introduced to short vowel sounds as words appear on screen with each playful song, allowing them to build reading skills and confidence as they sing, laugh and read-along with 12 animated, musical stories. Twelve matching storybooks are also available on DVD for download to reinforce the learning and inspire kids to read at home or on the go.

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This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to the winner, Jill Myrick.

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Tropical Paradise French Toast

July 11, 2011 By 24 Comments

I’ve really enjoyed trying out new recipes lately. It’s been a fun edition to MomStart, and my husband just told me that he’s really enjoyed my cooking lately. Which means I’ll continue to be bringing you the successful recipes that we have at home. I was looking in my Cooking Lite Magazine and I found a Pineapple French Toast recipe and I took that recipe and made it my own.

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I made the Tropical Paradise mixture out of eggs and coconut milk

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Cut up some fresh French Bread (next time I’m using regular bread, this stuff was hard to cook and chew)

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Then I cooked the toast on a skillet.

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Tropical Paradise French Toast Recipe

Ingredients:

1 loaf French Bread (or regular bread your choice)
1 can of coconut milk
1 can of pineapples
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

Mix the eggs, milk and vanilla, and cinnamon all together
Cut the bread into slices
Dip the bread soaking each side
Then cook in a skillet until each side is golden brown
Grill the pineapple (I grilled it in the oven, or serve it cold)

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Conversation with Bravo’s Pregnant in Heals Rosie Pope & Pampers Prints Preview

July 11, 2011 By 6 Comments

Visit Pampers on Facebook Tomorrow Tue 7/12/2011 5:00 PM ET, for a conversation where you can ask Rosie Pope, star of Bravo’s Pregnant in Heals reality TV Show, questions over Facebook.

Rosie Pope

Just a month ago, I was sitting at a table with the other members of the Pampers Baby Board and we had the opportunity to sit down and ask Rosie Pope questions of our own. Not only is Rosie Pope the star of a reality TV show on Bravo, she’s a beautiful clothing designer, and has designed limited edition prints for the Pampers Diapers lines. Prints are perfect for the summer when it’s warm and you have baby in only a diaper. I remember when Zoe and Miles were both in diapers and we didn’t have an air conditioner. It was HOT so the kids were just in diapers, these prints would have been adorable on them. So I know they’re adorable on your kiddos.

Girl’s Pampers Prints:

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Boys Pampers Prints:

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More About Rosie:

When I was pregnant with my kids almost four years ago, I don’t remember maternity wear being so cute. I would wear my own clothes for as long as possible. Then I’d wear lots and lots of dresses, and dresses are exactly what Rosie loves the most for pregnancy.

She recommended that all pregnant women own a dress of some kind or another. Wrap dresses are great because they can change as you get larger and fit all different shapes.

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I’ve met a few stars, and interviewed a few more and I felt like Rosie Pope was such a kind modest person and I truly respect her and her decisions. Rosie has received a lot of criticism for things she says or how she acts on her show. Remember it’s reality TV show that is unscripted and she has no authority to ask for a redo. She admits that she makes mistakes and says things she wishes she could take back, but she also owns her mistakes and stands behind the decisions she made. She admits that she is not an expert and that’s why she looks for advice from experts to teach classes where others can learn and she picks up a thing or two as well. I’m amazed at her strength and honesty and I wish I had cable so I could watch her shine.

 

Meet Rosie Pope tomorrow on Facebook Pampers Page. Ask her questions.

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Grilled Pork Teriyaki Haystacks Recipe

July 10, 2011 By 16 Comments

Summer time and grilling go hand in hand. Now, as I’ve said before we actually don’t have a grill so I usually use a pan on the oven, or turn my oven onto the broiling setting to grill. I’ve grilled pineapple, pork, sausage, and many different kinds of veggies like this and it turns out just fine. Tonight, I made some pork, I didn’t even grill it, but this recipe calls for you to grill it. What I did was I put it in the crock pot and covered it with the World Harbors Teriyaki Marinade and let it cook all day long. I actually over cooked it. I just didn’t have my game day today in the kitchen. It still turned out ok, the family said it tasted good even though the meat was a little tough so thanks to World Harbors for saving dinner with a wonderful flavor even when over cooked.

Grilled Pork Teriyaki Haystacks

Ingredients:

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1/2 bottle of World Harbor Maui Mountain Teriyaki Sauce & Marinade
1 can of Pineapples
1 cup of rice
1 pound of pork loin
2 cups assorted veggies – I used snap peas, water chestnuts, broccoli and carrots
1/4 cup cheese
1/4 cup chow mein noodles

Directions:

Cut the meat into 1 inch cubes and marinate in the Teriyaki Sauce over night
Cook the rice according to package directions or use a rice cooker
Grill the pork on a grill, or in the oven, or cook it in a crock pot like I did. (just don’t over cook it)
Steam the veggies
Grill the pineapple or serve it cold (it’s good both ways)
Assemble the haystacks

We like to put the rice on the bottom, then add the pineapple, meat, veggies, sprinkle on a little bit of cheese, and then top with a little bit of the chow mein. Then you have a delicious dinner.

 

“World Harbors provided compensation for this post. All opinions photos and recipe are my own.”

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