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Giveaway: Experience Christmas Magic at PDX ZooLights

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ZooLights
Event consideration provided.

One of my favorite holiday traditions is driving around looking at Christmas lights. So this year, we decided to celebrate the season by kicking off December with a visit to the Oregon Zoo to experience ZooLights!

ZooLights is an annual event where the zoo is transformed into a winter wonderland with over a million and a half lights decorating the grounds. This special event also gives you the unique opportunity to experience the zoo at night while soaking in the Christmas magic. Since my youngest niece, Juniper, is now a year old, I thought this would be the perfect time to take the whole family to ZooLights. I have fond memories of visiting the Oregon Zoo with my family when I was a small child, and I want to share that experience with my nieces as well.

All bundled up

We got all bundled up, grabbed some peppermint cocoa in our special ZooLights tumblers, and began our walk through the zoo!

Beautiful tree

Christmas wreath

Tree covered in lights

Blue and red trees

The lights covering the zoo grounds are gorgeous, and quite spectacular. We walked through tunnels of lights, watched animated lights create “Rain” falling from dazzling trees, and enjoyed the light-up characters dotted all through the zoo. There were lions, tigers, bears, and even the Wizard of Oz – oh my!

Wizard of Oz lights

Juniper was captivated the entire time, taking in all of the sights and sounds.

Juniper looks at the lights

We enjoyed seeing the nocturnal side of the zoo, watching seals, fish, and my personal favorites – bats!

Bats

There was also a tiger slinking right up by the glass where we were standing, much to the delight of all the children watching.

Tiger

After saying “Hello” to the tiger, our family hopped aboard the zoo train for a special holiday ride. The train ride is always great fun, and it becomes very magical during ZooLights as you are treated to beautiful light displays while the train winds through the park.

Riding the train

Big cats

A new activity that has been added to ZooLights in 2016 is a classic carousel ride, creating even more fun and memories!

Riding the carousel

Visiting ZooLights was the perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit! It’s an ideal family activity because it will be enjoyed by all ages, from infants to adults. I highly recommend planning a trip there this holiday season!

For More Information:

Oregon Zoo
4001 SW Canyon Road
Portland, OR 97221

Phone: (503) 226-1561
Website: OregonZoo.org/ZooLights

ZooLights Dates:

November 25, 2016 through January 1, 2017. Closed December 24 & 25.

ZooLights Hours:

Sunday through Thursday: 5 – 8 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 5 – 9 p.m.
ZooLights tickets are valid for zoo admission after 4 p.m.

Admission:

Adults (12-64): $14.95
Seniors (65 +): $12.95
Youth (3-11): $9.95
Infant (2 & under): Free
Members (all ages): Free

You can save on admission by attending during Value Nights, as well as getting a transit discount if you take TriMet to the zoo instead of parking; click here for all the details.

Train and carousel tickets are sold separately from admission; click here for more information.

Enter to Win:

ZooLights

One lucky reader will win 4 tickets to ZooLights on the night of their choice!

To Enter:

Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter. Giveaway is open to US residents, 18+, and ends on December 12th at 11:00 PM PST. Winner will be notified via email. Upon confirmation, tickets will be placed in will call at the Oregon Zoo under the winner’s name. Tickets are valid for one-time use from completion of contest through the last night of ZooLights (January 1, 2017). Value of four tickets is $59.80. Please see the widget for more details and click here to read our giveaway rules.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Favorite Memories of Santa #SantaProject

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This sponsored post is brought to you by the MomStart elves on behalf of Santa!

Christmas is a special time of year because of the palpable sense of magic and wonder. Every December, I look forward to building new memories and traditions while looking back with fond nostalgia at years past. I was flipping through an old photo album today and enjoyed looking at some photos from Christmas in the ’80s when I was a little kid!

Beeb with Santa

Beeb with Santa in the 1980s

When I was a child, I spent all of December excitedly anticipating the arrival of Santa on Christmas Eve. I would think about what special toy I wanted, like a Foofur doll – this was the 1980s, after all – then write my letter to Santa and tuck it under the tree with milk and cookies. Then, on Christmas morning, I would run to the tree to find cookie crumbs on an empty plate next to the gifts that Santa had brought me!

One of the most magical Christmas experiences I had was when I was around 4, and we had traveled to my Grandma and Grandpa’s house to spend the holiday. I got into my Glow Worm sleeping bag by the tree – again, this was the ’80s – and as I was drifting off to sleep, I heard the distinct sound of bells and knew that Santa’s sleigh was approaching to land on the roof! When I woke up the next morning, Santa had left me a handwritten letter with a patch of red felt attached. In the letter, he explained how this was a piece of fabric from one of his old suits. It was so magical to touch that piece of fabric and know that it had come from Santa’s own suit!

Opening my stocking

Opening the stocking that Santa had left me. Clearly, I’ve always been a fashionista!

It’s hard to believe that so many years have passed since that night, and that I’m now in my 30s! When I was a child, I used to hate the idea of growing up because I thought that I wouldn’t be able to have fun anymore. If I had a time machine, I would love to comfort my child self by letting her know that 33-year-old me spent last Christmas Eve watching the Power Rangers holiday special, so things really haven’t changed much! Growing up doesn’t mean that you have to lose the magic of Christmas. And any time I start feeling old, I just remind myself that Santa himself is 1,746 years old and is still just as spry as ever! To help get you into the Christmas spirit, I recommend checking out this fun Santa FAQ for more trivia and fun factoids on everything Kris Kringle.

What is your favorite memory of Santa?

Celebrate Baby’s First Christmas With Babies“R”Us! #BRUChristmas

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Baby's First Christmas

Gift card provided.

One of the many exciting milestones for a new parent is celebrating their child’s first Christmas! To help commemorate this sweet season, Babies“R”Us is hosting special events during select Saturdays in November where parents can bring their babies for a fun playdate with other little ones that includes storytime, photo opps, and a craft station where you can make an ornament to commemorate baby’s first Christmas! The events are broken down by age:

Saturday, November 8: Babies born in December 2013; January, February and March 2014

Saturday, November 15: Babies born in April, May, June and July 2014

Saturday, November 22: Babies born in August, September, October and November 2014

You’ll also find a “Baby’s First Christmas” shop in-store with over 200 seasonal picks for baby; or if you prefer to get gift ideas online, visit The Baby’s First Christmas Gift Guide online at Babiesrus.com/FirstChristmas, which breaks down gift ideas by age.

#BRUChristmas Sweepstakes

What could be better for completing your holiday shopping than winning a $2,500 Babies“R”Us gift card? You could do just that by entering the #BRUChristmas Sweepstakes, which is offering other fab runner-up prizes like a year’s supply of Gerber baby food or a year’s supply of Huggies diapers! You can enter 3 ways:

  • By visiting Babiesrus.com/FirstChristmas
  • Texting FIRST to 72229 – Message and data rates may apply. Text HELP to 72229 for help. Text STOP to 72229 to end. For mobile terms and conditions, visit Babiesrus.com/mobile.
  • Share a photo on Twitter or Instagram (@BabiesRUs) of their babies’ celebrating their first holiday season using the hashtags #BRUChristmas and #Sweeps.

What was your child’s first Christmas like?

MomDot- BP Day Eleven

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Sponsors: Day Eleven Blog Party Question is Brought to you by Shishu Style and Mimsi Bags.
VIP BLOGS to visit are Parent Reviewers , Mom Most Traveled, Mommy Zabs, MomStart, HipposToes, Run DMT
Day Eleven (November 26): Staci A, mommas gone over the wall
If you could only eat ONE food on Thanksgiving Day, what would it be? Do you have a home cooked meal for Thanksgiving or do you go out to eat? Does your family dress up?
I would love to eat Mexican food. We do this for Christmas at my grandmothers because by the time you have had four or five holidays (big family), everyone is tired of Turkey. Mexican food is my all time favorite food.
We’re going over to my MOMS Club. We always have a home cooked meal, although; last year since I was pregnant my husband wanted to take me out for dinner but I was too tired. So we had mac and cheese.
No, we don’t dress up. I do for Christmas though!
One more day to go!

MagnetStreet Baby cards, magnets, and more

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Patrick over at MagnetStreet Baby has offered a 50% discount to my readers and your readers and to anyone who would like to use it. You should use it ‘ SAVE50′.



I had the opportunity to review their product. I’m still waiting to get mine in the mail, it should be here today or tomorrow or some time very soon and then I’ll update my post with a picture of the sample I got.

I went to the site and found a birth anouncement magnet that was completely customizable. I changed it to be a Holiday greeting from my children to the family. It was so simple to do. The whole process took less than thirty minutes and it took that long because I was taking care of my kids and watching tv at the same time.



Photo upload is very fast and placement is very fast as well. I just can’t believe how easy it was. I also thought the pricing was really great. Especially since I picked out magnets. You can get cards, announcements and magnets. The magnets are 1.99 each and with this new discount they are going to be 1.00 each.

If you think about the price of magnets, they are usually 4 to 5 dollars a piece, well these are customized like you want them and 1.00 each for a limited time. Go, hurry, why are you still on my site?

Blog Party Day 10

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Sponsors: Day ten Blog Party Question is Brought to you by Organic Blankees, Huddy Buddy, and Baby Legs
Day Ten (November 25): Kimberly, All about KimberlyDo you decorate for the Holidays? Do you have a themed Christmas tree? Share pics! Do you think there is such a thing as OVER decorating?

I don’t have any pictures of our tree because I was pregnant. I don’t think you can over decorate and my husband would love a yard to do a Griswald Christmas with blow up decorations and fill up the whole yard. We have candy cane lights to go up our side walk.

These are two pictures of my daughter last year around Christmas. This is her Christmas dress and coat. We must have been getting ready to go to church. I don’t look dressed up but I couldn’t fit into anything decent.

MomDot- BP Day Nine

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Sponsors: Day Nine Blog Party Question is Brought to you by jaC Jewelry, Cutie Covers and Sassy Baby
Day Nine (November 24): Trisha, Sweet N’ Sassy
Most unusual gift you have received? Best gift? Do you re-gift?

I usually don’t re-gift except for White Elephant gifts.

My best gift, was a cutting board my husband got me for my art. It is so easy to use and I can cut matts out to matt my art work. In college I majored in computer science but my emphasis was art. So I like to paint using water colors, oils, and acrylics. Oh wait.

Two years ago, we had a winter storm and we were without power for a week. I was 9 months pregnant and ready to burst. No shower, no heat, no light after four pm. I was miserable. When we called the power company they said we would be lucky to have power before Christmas. I was so depressed at the thought of spending Christmas in the dark. We got power back before Christmas. YEAH.

My most unusual gift. Nothing comes to mind.

MomDot Day 3 Christmas of Dreams

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click the duck to get back to MomDot Oh and Don’t forget 10% off at My Bag www.kushies.com using ms10.

Welcome to Day 3

Sponsors: Hippos Toes, Appledonia and My Bag.

VIP BLOGGERS: Parent Reviewers , Mom Most Traveled, Mommy Zabs, MomStart, HipposToes, Run DMT


When do you start shopping? What do you do for a budget and do you stick to your budget?

This is the first year that we have already started shopping for Christmas. This is also the first year that we have ever had a budget where we are keeping track of receipts and seeing if we are sticking to a budget. We have decided to start spending a little on Christmas every month since we made our budget last month.

Thanks to Costco, and Fred Meyer was are staying on budget and getting getting some money back. Both stores have a membership where you get a percentage back of what you spend. You have to spend it in their store but we will no problem. I get all of my fresh produce at Costco. Saving Saving Saving that is what I like to do.

I’m going to have this post at midnight, but it won’t have the sponsors or the link back to MomDot until I get up in the morning.

Child’s Wish List

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I was just introduced to WishCove by the creator Richard Carroll. He has created a place for parents and children aged three and above to create a list (birthday, Christmas, any holiday or reason) of gifts that your child wants.

My grandmother was just asking me and telling me that this is something that moms should be interested in, do you know of one. The only thing I could think of was that Amazon.com has a
wish list.
This is so much easier to use than Amazon (for a kid that is). They can look at pictures and find the one that matches their little heart’s desire. Setting up an account is easy and it is free. If you have any difficulty using it or if there are “technical” difficulties Richard is very quick at getting them fixed. He does have a full time job away from this snazzy creation, but I can tell that his heart is in this little project.
I went to WishCove and created a list for both of my children in a very short amount of time. Go sign up, use it. Share it.
Whomever you share the list with is then given the option to reserve and/or purchase the item for your child.

Click on the monkey to see a sample list.

I was very happy to share this with my readers. I also wanted to give you all a heads up on the discount side there is a new addition. Kushies has offered my readers a 10 % discount ordering directly from them. Have fun!!