IHOP National Pancake Day - March 1st, 2011

Flip for Free Pancakes!

March 1, 2011

Join IHOP on Tuesday, March 1, 2011, 7 a.m. - 10p.m., for National Pancake Day and receive one complimentary short stack!* In return for the free flapjacks, we ask you to consider leaving a little something behind for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and other designated local charities. Thanks to our guests' generosity, IHOP raised more than $2.1 million last year. IHOP began its National Pancake Day in 2006, and since then, has raised $5.35 million for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and other local charities and given away more than 10.1 million buttermilk pancakes. 

 

Source: IHOP.com

Top ten things your kids would miss most about you if you were abducted by aliens...

So recently I was presented with the question, "What are the top ten things your kids would miss most about you if you were abducted by aliens?"  This question was brought up while discussing the new movie, "Mars Needs Moms" opening on March 11th, 2011.


Here are the top ten things I think my kids would miss the most:

1. Dancing in the Kitchen!  My kids, my 2 yr old especially, loves to dance!  Her favorite songs are Christmas Carols but that's OK!  She has fun and so do I!
2. My Fort building skills!  I can make a mean fort out of pillows and blankets.  A must on stormy days so the kids can hide out with their flashlights and snacks.
3. My pasta and butter lunch.  A favorite among both kids.
4. Reading stories to them.  My son's favorite book is Cars and my daughter's favorite is Disney Princess'.
5. The long drives we like to take.  My kids love when we take drives over the bridges near the beach.  They love to watch the Seagulls and boats go by.  I love it too.
6. Taking them out to their Grandma an Pop Pop's weekend house, out east.
7. Our vacations to Maine.  We travel there every Summer and have the time of our lives!  Great memories are made there.
8. Tucking them in at night.
9. Taking care of the when they are sick.  Nobody takes care of them like Mom;)
10. All the Love I give them.  Hugs and Kisses are a must in our house! 

 I think all kids would miss there Mom's if they were abducted by Aliens.  I would be really upset! Not only because I would miss my family terribly but I hate to fly and the thought of traveling in a spaceship scares the heck out of me!


Here's some information from Social Moms about "Mars Needs Moms"

Mars Needs Moms Movie Trailer - Rated PG, Walt Disney Pictures, In Theaters 3/11/11

About Mars Needs Moms
Produced by the team behind “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” and “The Polar Express,” “Mars Needs Moms” showcases nine-year-old Milo’s (Seth Green) quest to save his mom (Joan Cusack) from Martians—a wild adventure in Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D that involves stowing away on a spaceship, navigating an elaborate, multi-level planet and taking on the alien nation and their leader (Mindy Sterling).

Like Mars Needs Moms on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MarsNeedsMomsMovie

Walt Disney Pictures on Twitter: http://twitter.com/disneypictures!

“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms blogging program,for a gift card worth $25. For more information on how you can participate, click here.” (make sure you link to http://marsneedsmoms.socialmoms.com/about)

What you can do with all those stuffed animals your kids have.

We have almost every Pillow Pet available (not even exaggerating) and a HUGE collection of all miscellaneous stuffed animals.  We love to play those crane games in Diner's and Toys R' Us. It was getting to be too much all over the house!  I was going nuts not to mention the dust they were collecting.

My son has a story for every stuffed animal so there was no way I could throw them out.  So what do you do with them all?

I bought an XL, 40" diameter Bean Bag Cover and stuffed it silly!  I put almost every Pillow Pet, stuffed animal, even those pillow books in it.

I bought it on eBay for $20 and it was new in package from The Company Store.

The kids LOVE it!!  My 4 1/2 year old fell asleep on it and it has been a great aid with my 2 year old daughter and her recovering from a sprained ankle.

Don't buy into all those gimmick things that you can stuff your animals in.  Just buy a bean Bag Cover and stuff it:)

This one I bought happens to be really big.  Maybe even too big but both kids can comfortably sit on it and so can I.  I just have to roll off of it and look for something to grab onto to hoist myself off the ground;) lol

Progresso Soup Review & Progresso Fitness Prize Pack Giveaway! CLOSED

I love soup but I always made it myself.  I had tried canned soup in the past but never liked the taste.  I was given the opportunity to try Progresso's new line of 100 Calories or Less Soup.  They have over 40 flavors. I tried a few of these flavors and I loved everyone!!!!!  My favorite one so far is the New England Clam Chowder.  And if you are on Weight Watchers, they have the points right on the can for you!

Until March 16th, Progresso is having a sweepstakes that you can enter on the Progresso Facebook Page to try to win a makeover in New York City.  And don't forget to print out their Coupon too: Progresso Soup Coupon

Progresso & MyBlogSpark have also given me one "Souper New You" Prize Pack to give away to one of my readers:)  Yay you!!

It will include:

VIP coupon for a free can of Progresso soup
Pilates mat
Water bottle
Set of Pilates bands
Sport headband
Set of Sport wristbands

How to win it:

Contest will run from February 25th, 2011 until 11:59 p.m. March 11th, 2011.

Entries

1. Follow me on Twitter @longislandmomx2 - leave a comment on this blog post.

2. Tweet about this contest (limit 2x daily - 1 entry per tweet) - leave a comment for each tweet.

Example: Bring on the new me! Win a Progresso Fitness Prize Pack from @longislandmomx2 -http://bit.ly/fl89Zm

3. Follow this blog via Google Friend Connect - leave a comment on this blog post.

4. "Like" Long Island Mom x 2 on Facebook - leave a comment on this blog post.

5. Post a comment on another post - 1 entry per post - leave a comment.

*These items were given to my by progresso via myblogspark to sample and give my honest opinion*

*Winner will be chosen via random.org and must message me within 48 hrs of winning*

Quick Update from my Preschool Post...

We got the call last night that our daughter got into the preschool we wanted!!!

I was getting very nervous but the director kept telling me to call and everytime I did, I was told to call back.  I thought that I was just getting the run around but I wasn't.  She was just really busy and gave first priority to the kids that already had siblings in the school.  She was having trouble contacting them all.

Not only did we get into this preschool, but we got the time slot we wanted!  YAY.

I was so excited for her!!

If you visit a school and get on their waiting list or any list, keep calling. Keep your name in their head.  Let them know how much you want their school and what a perfect fit it would be for your family.

Good Luck to all that are trying to find a school or on a waiting list.  I know what you are all going through.  Hang in there.  The perfect school for your child is out there.

Disney Live! Mickey's Magic Show - Save $10 per ticket at MSG Opening Night...

SAVE $10 per ticket*
for the Opening Night performance,
Thu. MARCH 17 - 7:00 PM!

Coming to The Theater at Madison Square Garden
Thu. MARCH 17 through Sun. MARCH 20!

*Valid on regularly priced $44.50 and $29.50 seats. See SPECIAL NOTES for full offer details.

Abracadabra! It's Disney Live! presents Mickey's Magic Show!

Mickey, Minnie and a host of Disney friends come together with
world-class magicians to perform magic from legendary Disney films
right before your eyes. See the Fairy Godmother transform Cinderella's rags
into a beautiful ball gown in a split second; the spectacular levitation of
Aladdin's Princess Jasmine; and the enchanted dancing brooms of Fantasia.
Join Donald and Goofy, Alice and the Mad Hatter, and many more for a
one-of-a-kind stage show you'll never forget. Mickey's Magic Show is a
whole new way to experience Disney Magic with your family!

CLICK HERE to purchase.
Use code: OPEN10 HURRY! Great Seats Are Going Fast!
To order tickets by phone, call 1-800-745-3000

*SPECIAL NOTES SAVE $10 on Opening Night offer is valid on regularly priced $44.50 and $29.50 seats at the Thu. MAR. 17, 7:00 PM performance. All other seating is excluded. Seats are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Popular performances sell out quickly, so act now! This special eBuzz offer is only available online and by phone. This offer is not valid at ticket outlets. This offer may not be combined with any other offer and does not apply to group sales orders or prior purchases. This offer is valid only for performances noted above. Service charges and handling fees may apply.

Visit Us Online
www.disneylive.com

Source: Disney Live! Email  

Dr. Seuss Storytime! Free at Target - Sat. Feb. 26th...

Amazon.com - Britax Marathon 70 Cowmooflage - $197!

We have this carseat and LOVE it!!  It is on sale on Amazon for $197 from $297.99 and ships for FREE!

This sale is only for the Britax Marathon 70 - Cowmooflage Pattern.  The others are still full price.


Source: lifamilies.com

Country Music is back on Long Island!

Welcome My Country 96.1 to Long Island! 

I love Country Music but could only listen to on Sirius and AOL Radio.  Either is was generic or local to TN, TX, other states that have nothing to do with Long Island.

I am so happy.  I listen to it online at home and it makes my day a little bit brighter.

"Like" them on Facebook - My Country 96.1

Follow them on Twitter - @Mycountry96.1

Check out there Website & Join their Country Club - My Country 96.1

Listen to them Live: My Country 96.1 Live


Another cool thing about My Country 96.1 is that they will be broadcasting the LI Ducks Games this year.  We love going to the LI Ducks games and can't wait to be able to listen to them live.

Best of Luck My Country 96.1!

LICM - Mexican Puppet Company Performing on February 23rd & 24th...

LI CHILDREN’S MUSEUM WELCOMES BACK MEXICAN PUPPET COMPANY

World renowned performers to present bi-lingual performances

Members of the world renowned Marionetas de la Esquina puppet company from Mexico City, Mexico return to the Long Island Children’s Museum (LICM). The legendary puppet company will be presenting one its most exciting productions, The Circus at the LICM Theater on February 23 and 24 at 1 and 3 p.m. Performances will be offered in both English and Spanish.

Join in the fun and excitement of the circus with these amazing artists as they take you on an unforgettable journey into an old-fashioned circus.  Along the way, meet some new friends such as Jaime the Trainer, Cuqui the Seal and Budineto the Lion to name a few. Thrilling surprises are in store when the tent goes up and the circus opens its doors. Marionetas de le Esquina has performed more than 11,000 shows and workshops in both  English and Spanish since its founding in 1975.

Performances will be offered during the February Break Week, which is one of the busiest weeks of the year at LICM. The cost is $4 with museum admission ($ 3 for LICM members), and $8 for the theater only. These performances are being sponsored by New York State Council on the Arts, celebrating 50 years of building strong, creative communities in New York State’s 62 counties.

The Long Island Children’s Museum (LICM) is a learning laboratory where hands-on exhibits invite visitors to experiment, examine and play. Through lively interdisciplinary activities, children and adults can share in the excitement of the learning process as they explore the world in which we live. The museum is designed for infants through 12 and their grownups. LICM is a not-for-profit institution chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. For more information, visit http://www.licm.org/.

Source: LICM

Dan Zanes & Friends are coming to Long Island...

My daughter loves Dan Zanes!  We were so excited to read that he will be playing on Long Island at Adelphi University on March 26th.

You can buy tickets here:  http://www.danzanes.com/tour/adelphi-university

Here is the PR write up about Dan Zanes if you don't know about them:

GRAMMY-WINNERS DAN ZANES AND FRIENDS CELEBRATE 10 YEARS OF HANDMADE 21st CENTURY ALL-AGES MUSIC 

This Fall marks the 10th anniversary of Rocket Ship Beach, the first CD of 21^st century handmade all-ages family music from Dan Zanes and Friends. Zanes began exploring age-desegregated music after the birth of his daughter in 1994 and soon after decided to abandon a pop music career, which had included four albums with Boston’s Del Fuegos, to form Festival Five Records, his decidedly independent label, and pursue family music full time. "Rocket Ship Beach" was an immediate hit with families around America and ten years and ten albums later, the Grammy award-winning artist is known widely as the leading man of the family music genre.

Following his two releases in 2009, (76 Trombones and The Fine Friends are Here concert DVD- both Parents Choice Award winners) Zanes spent this year working on a variety of eclectic projects. In July he began hosting his own monthly Sirius/XM radio show “Rocket Ship Beach Radio” a self-described mix of music, storytelling, and mellow chatter. Dan also began the “Family Band Workshop” video series of free music lessons on his web site encouraging his fans to start their own family bands and showing them how it might be done. The newly revamped danzanes.com also now provides lyrics and chords for most of the tunes on all of the 10 DZAF CDs.

2010 also included a unique musical collaboration between Zanes and the Pilobolus dance company titled "Contradance". Since its debut at the American Dance Festival in North Carolina this summer the piece has become a regular part of the Pilobolus canon and the soundtrack, written and recorded by Zanes, will be released on Festival Five Records this holiday season. Festival Five will also release a limited edition re-mastered LP of  “Rocket Ship Beach” this winter in commemoration of its 10-year anniversary.

Zanes has also just completed construction of a new studio in Brooklyn where he will spend the winter months with his merry band of friends recording a new CD due out in summer 2011. Dan Zanes and Friends, who like to say that they went from performing in thrift shop basements to Carnegie Hall, are celebrating the 10-year anniversary with a steady touring schedule throughout the US as well as return trips to England and Bahrain. Past overseas touring has included shows in Australia, Canada, and Spain. The band regularly performs with local groups, particularly youth orchestras and West African drum and dance ensembles.

Among the several Parents Choice Award-winning, bestselling albums for kids and kid sympathizers are the acclaimed House Party, Night Time!, ¡Nueva York!, and Catch That Train!, which won the 2007 Grammy for “Best Musical Album for Children.” Music videos for Zanes’ songs have aired on The Noggin Network, Sesame Street and The Disney Channel’s “Playhouse Disney.”

Dan Zanes and Friends are: Dan Zanes, Colin Brooks, Sonia De Los Santos, Saskia Sunshine Lane and Elena Moon Park.

 

Source: Festival Five Records

My 4 1/2 yr old has started Ice Skating...

My son want's to play Ice Hockey but of course needs to learn how to skate first

I took him for a trial with my cousin who teaches Ice Skating and he LOVED it!! He has never loved something so much

He didn't want to get off the ice. We went to find him skates after the lesson and he wanted to go right back. He even had me tell the lady at McDonald's drive thru that he was just ice skating

He is going to do lessons every week and then when he is comfortable, move him on to the Tot Hockey

I am so happy for him!

Just made my first purchase through csnstores.com...

We just redid our kitchen a few months ago.  We had a booth built and bought a new table, rug, and had cushions made for the booth.  Then of course I wasn't happy with the next room, the dinning room, so I moved around furniture and bought new drapes.  Then this went on through the entire first floor until we reached the foyer.


We had a big old desk in there that I HATED!!!  It was broken and just really beat up.  We took it from my husband's office.  (they gave it to us, we didn't steal it;)) lol  We decided that we needed a new desk.  We put the desk together and then of course I couldn't stop there.  Now I needed someplace to store our shoes.

That is when I came across CSN Stores Online.  CSN has over 200 websites in one, where you can find everything from an Eames Lounge Chair to Car Seats!


I did a search for entry way benches and they were one of the first sites to come up in my search.  I found one that I love and can't wait for it to come in.  It looks so nice!  They have a few options too with this bench called "Winsome-Verona Storage Bench with 3 Foldable Fabric Basket."  You can either get it with black baskets, beige baskets or they have a similar one with wicker baskets.


I love that CSN has free shipping on almost every item and free returns!  This was another reason we chose CSN.

Hopefully when this comes I will be done but who knows.  They also have outdoor furniture and outdoor toys for the kids that I was looking at.  The spring is coming soon...

Feather Your Nest Sweepstakes & Twitter Party for the launch of Little Birdie.

Little birdie will be launching in the NYC area and Atlanta in early March.  Parents who are expecting and/or with children up until 12 years old will be the first to be able to experience little birdie deals with savings up to 90% off on kid-friendly activities, dining and so much more!

To celebrate, little birdie is holding the Feather Your Nest Giveaways.  Two lucky winners (one (1) NYC area and one (1) Atlanta area parent) will each receive a $4,500 dream nursery/kids’ room makeover from celebrity decorator, Sherri Blum.  A third winner chosen from anywhere in the U.S. will receive a $1,000 shopping spree.*  

To learn more and enter, please visit http://bit.ly/gD0UvF 

Little birdie is also excited to announce that they are hosting a Twitter Party complete with door prizes for participants!**

little birdie Twitter Party

When: Thursday, February 17^th from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. ET

Where: #littlebirdie tag on Twitter

How: To participate, follow hostess @ResourcefulMom, sponsor @littlebirdieUSA, @littlebirdieATL& @littlebirdieNYC and special guest @SherriBlum.

PRIZES

(3) Three winners will each receive a personalized wall art canvas from celebrity decorator and guest, Sherri Blum

(3) Three winners will each receive a $25 little birdie credit to be used upon the launch of the site landing soon in NYC and Atlanta!

*No purchase necessary.  Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. & D.C., 18 or older who are expecting a child (pregnant or in the process of adopting or surrogacy) and/or have a child or children 12 or younger.  Sweepstakes starts 3:01pm ET 2/15/11 and ends 11:59 p.m. ET 3/31/11.  Void where prohibited.  For complete details, see Official Rules at http://bit.ly/gD0UvF , which govern.

**No purchase necessary.  Must be a legal resident of the 50 U.S. or DC, 18 or older.  Ends 9:00 p.m. ET 2/17/11.  Void where prohibited.  Winners will be selected on a random basis during the party by ResourcefulMom.com and will be notified via @ResourcefulMom. Failure to claim via an online form within 48 hrs of notification will result in prize forfeiture.  Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible participants.  Credit is subject to terms and conditions specified by little birdie. Sponsor of Door Prize Giveaway: ResourcefulMommy.com.

**Disclosure.  This is a sponsored post and I was compensated for this post.

Scrapblog.com & MixBook.com! A match made in heaven...

I LOVE Scrapblog!!!  I have made some from our trips and some of the kids.

I am currently working on one for my daughter:)  If you have never tried them out I will tell you a little about them.

It is on online scrapbook.  You can add music, different effects and even have them printed out. And you can create them and share them for free:)  A bonus!  Plus, if you are at a different computer or just don't like to store photos on your PC, you can import pictures from Facebook, Picasa, and other photo sharing sites.

If you love scrapbooking, you will love this site.  And if you are like me and love to scrapbook but don't have the time or the talent ;), this site is for you.

They recently merged with MixBook.com and I think it is a match made in heaven.  I can't wait to see all they have to offer next.

Here is a sample of my daughter's scrapblog:

Fisher Price Laugh and Learn iCan Play Case for iPhone & iPod Touch...

I am so excited for this to come out soon!  It should be out later this year and will sell for $20.

Fisher Price has developed a rattle type case for your child to be able to play with your iPhone without having to worry being overally worried about it falling and breaking.

 I am also excited for the Fisher Price Kid Tough iPad case they are coming out with too!  This will be something like the Griffin Case already out.  I am not sure how much this will go for but I have heard around $60.

The iPhone and iPad have so many educational and fun apps for the kids and now I don't have to worry about them smashing the glass like I did a few weeks ago:(  Even if oyu don't have kids, maybe this is a good thing to get! lol

Fisher Price also has some great apps out: Where's Puppy's Nose, Let's Count Animals!, and Animal Sounds.


My 2 year old daughter's favorite app is not Fisher Price it is "A Monster at the End of this Book" from Sesame Street!  She could watch it over and over again and now I can feel a little safer when she does.

Cinderella by Debbie and Friends

Alexa's 2nd Birthday Party Review & Pictures...

    

Sorry I have been away for a little while.  Our computer was acting crazy before Christmas and then after the new year, it died:(  We finally had one built and just got it installed yesterday. YAY!!!!!! Here is a quick review and some pictures of my Daughter's 2nd Birthday Party.  We had a blast!!  And I had the pleasure of working with some great vendors. We originally were just going to have her party at home because we were keeping it small. But about a month or so ago we decided to keep it small but have it out so I don't have to deal with the mess Best decision EVER!!!! I will start with some vendors and then pictures:) We had it at the Rockville Centre Recreation Center, NY. Both kids go to class their and we have been to many parties their before so I knew what it was all about. It was a great price and the staff were awesome!! So helpful and did an amazing job. I used Lady J's Cakes. Not only was Janean a great person to work with but she is an amazing artist and baker!! It was absolute beautiful and everyone went on and on about how delicious it was! We got vanilla cake and cookies and cream filling. I highly recommended her. I used etsy.com for her shirt, her #2 hat and the crayon rolls. And also a bottle cap hair clip. I also had a beautiful pillow case dress made with Olivia on it from a women on Facebook but she didn't wear it. I had it made for Alexa when we were just having it at home. And I used ebay for the Olivia latex balloons, crayons, coloring books, her socks and labels. I also had a scrunchie made from the same vendor as the socks. And I bought an awesome pinata toy mix from ebay that the kids loved! I made the invitations myself and the felt favor bags. The paper goods and pinata I bought from Birthday Express. I loved this site and have always used them. These are used vendors I used: Socks & Scrunchie Coloring Books Crayons, Labels, & Lollipop Tags Olivia Balloons pinata mix Crayon Rolls Olivia Bottle Cap Clip Olivia Shirt Olivia Hat   We had a great day filled with many memories and a lot of laughter!  I love birthday parties and planning them:)  Now onto my son's 5th Birthday Party planning for May. It was hard to get a picture of her because she was running all over the place