Saturday, March 14

Norton Online Family Review


Norton, a well known company in Internet Safety Products, has a new product geared toward families, Norton Family Online. Norton Family Online is an online system that helps parents monitor, block, connect, set time limits and so much more for their kids on the Internet.

Key Norton Online Family features include:
  • Simple, One-Time Set Up: Create an account online and customize each family member's profile based on age and maturity level.
  • Easy to Use and Access: Check a child's activity or modify a child's profile, preferences, or time allotment anytime and anywhere using any Internet-connected device.
  • Clear Reporting: All activities are reported in chronological order and only show the Web sites a child intended to visit - eliminating all the extra URLs, like ads, from Web sites.
  • Helpful Search Insight: Easily view what words and phrases a child uses to search and where those searches lead online.
  • Convenient Web Site Control: Control the Web content that flows into the home by prohibiting more than 40 topic categories.
  • Secured Personal Information: Track, report and prevent personal information that a child may purposely or accidentally try to send via e-mail, IM or social networking site.
  • Access to Social Network Information: Monitor activity on social networks like Facebook and MySpace with the ability to see how kids represent themselves, when they login and how often.
  • Real-time Messaging: Built-in messaging allows parents to have real-time discussions with children about activities and better understand their intentions when visiting a Web site.
  • True Transparency: Children are able to view the "house rules" they established with parents at any time and are notified when Norton Online Family is active, so there is no "stealth" mode.
  • Custom Alerts: Parents can customize e-mail alerts to address urgent events so they know immediately when a child has reached a time limit or visited a blocked site, etc.
  • Useful Time Management: An easy-to-use time management feature that - if parents find it necessary - gives each child a "curfew" that will limit computer usage

Now the Princesses are not that active on the Internet yet. Princess G does not even use the computer but Princess A does. She does not surf the web at all, I pull up the pages she is allowed to use (Polly Pocket, Playhouse Disney, PBS Sprout, JumpStart and Shidonni.) A few times she has wandered off those sites so monitoring that would be nice. The feature I like the best is the Time Management. Right now I set a timer when she gets on the computer but a few times I have been helping Princess G and did not hear the timer or I simply forget to set the timer. It would be very nice to have the time Princess A is on the computer recorded. I can easily see that the other features will become more relevant as the girls get older. Also you can customise for each family member so you can block sites for your 9 year old that your 15 year old is allowed to view. They even have a tamper report in case your kids are very savvy and attempt to get around Norton Online Family.

Friday, March 13

Current by Discover Card


My girls are a little to little for an allowance though a few of their friends already get an allowance. I never got an allowance but when the girls are older the Current by Discover Card will be a great way to give them an allowance so they can learn to be fiscally responsible without the danger of credit cards. The Current by Discover Card is a debit card that the parents allot funds to. You can add funds daily, weekly or monthly. It would be nice not trying to remember bring home the exact amount to hand over for an allowance. Since the Current by Discover Card is a debit card when your child uses of the funds they can't make any more purchases so unlike a credit card they can't go over the limit, a great way to teach them to budget. The card is geared for 13 to 18 year olds so it will be awhile until the Princesses are old enough. I hope the Current by Discover Card is still around and it will be interesting to see how it will change in the next 8 or so years.

Thursday, March 12

Happy Birthday Princess A!!!

My baby is now 6 years old!!!!
Here she is with her wish come true on her birthday morning.
(She wished for the Wedding girl Cinderella when she blew out the birthday candles, which I might add was after she opened the gift! What a cutie!!)

Monday, March 9

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Princess G stayed home with Daddy (he took the day off) for his birthday while Princess A and I went to school.
As soon as we got home it was time to open Daddy's presents.

I really picked up four gifts for him but I left the gift bags out and the girls created many more gifts. I got him new running shoes, dress shirt, polo shirt and headphones. The girls also gave him cards, books they made and some pictures.

They also wrapped up a box of Fruity Pebbles.

Then we made birthday cupcakes for Daddy.

They picked pink frosting and heart sprinkles.

They did all of the decorating themselves, I did not help this time at all.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HONEY!!!!!

Of course his two little princesses helped him blow out the candles.

Vote for Princess A and WIN!


Princess G is trying to win a contest. She created this Avatar and the avatar with the most votes wins. I hope you will vote for her. You can vote once a day until March 14th. Just click on the link and click vote. No signing up or anything. One vote per computer per day. Please vote!!

Each time you vote you can win an extra entry in my current conest.

3 Yo-Plus Gift Packs (ends 3/18)

Just leave a comment saying you voted.

Sunday, March 8

I Don't Want to Miss...PSA contest!‏

Every fall I get the princesses Flu vaccinations. Two years ago Princess A figured out that we must be at the Doctor's office for a shot and started to cry before we even got out of the car. She cried softly in the waiting room and back to the examination room. The nurse gave her the shot. She looked up with amazement, grabbed her arm at the location of the shot and said "Is that it?" Now they both happily get flu vaccinations every year. This Fall Princess A will be six years old. Under the new CDC guidelines all children from 6 month to 18 years old should receive a flu vaccination (the old recommendation was 6 months to 5 years old.) I would of scheduled her for a vaccination even with the old recommendation. To spread the word PSA is having a video contest.


The heart of the program is a PSA contest in which teens can submit a short
45-60 second video entry to IDontWantToMiss.com, sharing what they most don't want to miss out on and why that makes flu prevention important. What a fun, creative challenge for our teens and their friends. The winning contestant will win an
acoustic concert from former American Idol finalist Brooke White at his/her school! The second place winner will receive a guitar autographed by Brooke White herself, and three runners-up will win autographed photos.


I just wish Princess A was old enough to enter (well maybe not, I can wait a few years for her to be a teenager.) If you know a teenager help them make a quick video and they might win and at the same time help other teens become aware of the recommendation to get a flu vaccination. I made a quick video of the princesses for a hand washing video last year and they ended up winning 1st runner-up. You can't win if you don't enter. Hurry because the contest ends March 11.

Saturday, March 7

Slumdog Millionaire

Monday is my husband's birthday so to celebrate he wanted to go to the movies. Only the third movie we have seen with out kids in six years. We both wanted to see Slumdog Millionaire. It was wonderful!!! I can see why it won so many awards. The movie was moving, fun, touching and what else can I say well worth the price of the movie ticket and a babysitter for three hours. The movie is about a young man whom grew up in the slums of Mumbai and is now a contestant of the Indian version of Who wants to be a Millionaire? He is accused of cheating but through a series of flashback you learn about his life and how he knew each answer. Very, very good.

Friday, March 6

Sundaes!!!

Princess A wanted a 'real' sundae for dessert. For her that meant Mocha Almond Fudge ice cream, whipped cream and chocolate syrup.
Of course Princess G wanted the same but "with the marshmallow ice cream" (Rocky Road.)
She just wanted to have a bite instead of Mommy taking a picture, she wouldn't turn her head but at least she smiled.

Thursday, March 5

Counting Pennies

Princess A wanted to count the money in her piggy bank. I really did not want to touch all that change but I agreed. Hey she is cute and hard to resist.
First we got an old magazine as I did not want them all over my floor. Then she sorted the coins into different piles. Next we made stacks of 10 coins each. We counted the stacks and found that she has $7.82.
Princess A then said "I must have more money than you Mommy!" She also told me what she wants to buy with all of her money. "I want to buy a Wedding Cinderella!" (She saw one at Toy's R Us on our new toy just because adventure last month.)Of course Princess G also wanted her change counted.
She had $3.57.

I messed up when we started to put the change back. I started to put Princess G's change in her sister's Piggy bank instead of her Hippo bank. Luckily I knew how much change and which kind so I just shook it out of the Piggy.
The funny thing was the next day Princess G was given homework to count pennies and nickels.

Wednesday, March 4

Disney On Ice

Back in November of 2007 we took the girls to see Disney on Ice presents Princess Wishes. To say they were mesmerized is an understatement. They both had so much fun and even Princess G who was not even 2 1/2 at the time watched the whole show. She did change her viewing location a few times, from her own seat, Daddy's lap and Mommy's. During intermission Daddy couldn't resist getting them each a souvenir. Princess A picked Cinderella (her favorite) and Princess G picked out Belle (her second favorite since Aurora was not available.)

Can you believe how little she looked just over a year ago? She is so big now.


We were really looking forward to going again. The girls started asking around Halloween "When are we going to the Princess Ice Show?" They even asked last week when we went to the Thomas the Train show since it was at the same location. (Dear Disney on Ice: If you change your mind and come here I know at least 4 seats that will be snatched up!!)


This was right after the show.


My girls and I loved the show (Daddy liked it too) and I would recommend it to everyone. In fact I had a whole group of Moms and we were going to go in November of last year but Disney on Ice didn't come. Check the list of cities below or for more cities click here. See if Disney on Ice is coming near you and get some tickets. I even have two great offers for tickets in the cities and dates listed below:



Offer #1: Get 4 tickets for just $44 by entering the code "MOM" at select ticketing channels*. Offer good on all performances, minimum purchase of 4 tickets required; additional tickets above 4 can be purchased at $11 each. Offer not valid on Gold Circle Seating, Front Row and VIP seating or combinable with other offers. Other restrictions may apply.


Offer #2: A select amount of Front Row and VIP seats have been reserved for you to buy before they go on sale to the public - just enter the code "MOM" when purchasing those seats.


Houston Mickey & Minnie’s Magical Journey April 15-April 19

Dallas/Ft Worth Mickey & Minnie’s Magical Journey March 18-March 29

Sunrise/Miami Worlds of Fantasy March 26-April 5

Toronto On Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy March 18-March 22

Kansas City Mickey & Minnie’s Magical Journey April 1-April 5

Denver Disneyland® Adventure March 12-March 15

Phoenix Disneyland® Adventure April 9-April 12

Chicago/Rosemont 100 Years of Magic Sept 8-Sept 13

Wordless Wednesday: My Cuties



Tuesday, March 3

Yo-Plus‏ Review and Giveaway

Update with Winners: Congrats Beth, Tiffani, and Sandy. The winners have been sent an email an have 72 hours to respond with their addresses.

I love Yoplait® Thick & Creamy and is the yogurt I mostly eat. I had not tried the Yo-Plus™ before and was not sure what to expect. While Princess A was a school Princess G saw it in the refrigerator and wanted to try it. We both loved it. I like that it is a thick yogurt (not as thick as Yoplait® Thick & Creamy®) but thicker than some other yogurts I have tried. I liked that the taste was not too strong or super sugary. The yogurt had a very slight sour taste at the end that loved. When Princess A got home for school Princess G told her all about the new yummy yogurt (Yo-Plus™) and wanted to share one with her sister. I open one up and between the two of them they almost licked the cup, well almost I stopped them. I know we will be getting some more. Now don't take my word for it click here for a $1.00 off coupon or even better three of you could win a prize pack with a coupon for a free package of Yo-Plus. The prize pack includes a free 4-pack of Yo-Plus yogurt coupon, Yoplait cooler tote bag, water bottle and a nutrition journal. The tote is so big I have been using it to carry the towels for the girls' swim lesson (with freezing temp around here I won't need the tote to insulate anything for months.)

Now what you really want to know how to win!!


  • Please leave a comment with a healthy living tip and your favorite or weirdest yogurt flavor you have ever had.
  • If you email is not easily available on your blog please leave in comment.
  • US only.
Please enter by March 18 midnight.

Extra Entries:


  • Follow my blog (one entry)
  • Blog about giveaway with link to this post (3 entries)
  • Please leave a comment for each entry.

Monday, March 2

District Reception for PTA Reflections

We arrived late but before the District PTA Reflections Art reception started.

Princess A was so excited to go up on stage. She was concentrating so hard on what was being said I never got a picture of her looking at the camera.

She did not advance to the next level but she did receive a certificate and a new ribbon. They had a many more schools to go through so we left before the cake.

She was so proud that she got this far, there was only one other kindergartner from her school and only a few in the district.

She is already thinking about what she wants to do next year.

She is thinking of entering even more categories.

Saturday, February 28

Thomas the Train and Friends Show

We took the girls to the Thomas & Friends Live! On Stage: A Circus Comes To Town and they had a blast. They both were mesmerized from the first.

They both kept eyeing the cotton candy so during intermission Daddy got them a bag to share. Princess G has been excited since I told her we were going to the show. She is a huge Thomas the Train fan, though Percy (the green train) is her favorite. For a few weeks she has been asking "Are we going to see Thomas tomorrow?"
Princess A was not as excited when I first told her. She wanted to go but asked if she could be something to play with in case she got bored. Well as soon as the show started her eyes never left the stage. She even sung and danced one of the numbers from the show all the way to the car, in the car and after we got home. Princess G and I joined her in the dancing and sing too, well at least until we got to the car!

The show was about an hour and a half, including a 15 minutes intermission. I must say the show did not seem that long as we were all entertained. The girls thought the 'talking' trains were the neatest thing. Princess G was just so excited just hearing Thomas the Train's whistle, let alone when she finally saw him. If you have a Thomas the Train fan I would recommend taking them to Thomas & Friends Live! On Stage: A Circus Comes To Town. Both Princesses had so much fun and kept saying "Thank you Mommy!"
So thank you MomSelect, my family loved the show.

Thursday, February 26

Best Show on Earth





















I remember going to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus with my Grandparents when I was little. They took my sister and I and we had a blast. I remember the three rings with something go in each. The elephants were my favorites along with the lions. The most exciting was the motorcycle in the metal ball cage, the tightrope walkers and the trapeze artist. I really wish the circus was coming close to us. Well check the list below and you might be lucky enough for the circus to come perform the greatest show on earth near you.

  • Newark/East Rutherford/Uniondale/NYC March 5 - April 13 (Offer not valid on performances from April 10 - 13 at Madison Square Garden)
  • Washington D.C./ Fairfax, VA/ Baltimore March 18-April 19
  • Philadelphia May 13-May 25
  • Phoenix June 24-June 28
  • Houston July 15-July 26
  • Anaheim/LA/Ontario July 8-August 2
  • San Francisco August 12-August 23
  • Dallas/Ft Worth July 29-August 16
  • Sacramento August 27-August 30
  • Kansas City September 16-September 20

Did you check the list? Are you near one of the lucky towns that Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is visiting? Well here is something to make you feel even luckier two special offers, a discount or reserved front row and VIP seats.

Offer #1: Get 4 tickets for just $44 by entering the code "MOM" at select ticketing channels. Offer good on all performances, minimum purchase of 4 tickets required; additional tickets above 4 can be purchased at $11 each. Offer not valid on Circus Celebrity Seating, Front Row and VIP seating or combinable with other offers. Other Restrictions May Apply.

Offer #2: A select amount of Front Row and VIP seats have been reserved for you to buy before they go on sale to the public - just enter the code "MOM" when purchasing those seats.